as in clutched
to have or keep in one's hands
clenched a tissue in his hands as he told his story of misfortune
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Recent Examples of clenched
Participants alternately clenched their toes (rock), spread them apart (paper) and crossed the big toe over the others (scissors).
—
Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026
May watched, jaw clenched, arms crossed, eyes glassy.
—Justin Williams, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Among many Niger Deltans, there’s a mixture of ignorance, nonchalance, and clenched resignation around the industry’s environmental dangers, which take a back seat as folks get on with the business of everyday survival.
—Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
The Chinese speedskater leaped into the air, fists clenched, joy bursting from every pore.
—Rick Maese, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2026
My stomach clenched with worry.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Don’t leave home without a rose clenched between your teeth.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
As Rathbun and other officers retreated, Webster clenched both fists, crouched into a linebacker’s stance, and charged into Rathbun, knocking him to the ground.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
My muscles, head, neck and back were clenched.
—William D. Brown, Outdoor Life, 13 Nov. 2025
Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026
May watched, jaw clenched, arms crossed, eyes glassy.
—Justin Williams, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Among many Niger Deltans, there’s a mixture of ignorance, nonchalance, and clenched resignation around the industry’s environmental dangers, which take a back seat as folks get on with the business of everyday survival.
—Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
The Chinese speedskater leaped into the air, fists clenched, joy bursting from every pore.
—Rick Maese, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2026
My stomach clenched with worry.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Don’t leave home without a rose clenched between your teeth.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
As Rathbun and other officers retreated, Webster clenched both fists, crouched into a linebacker’s stance, and charged into Rathbun, knocking him to the ground.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
My muscles, head, neck and back were clenched.
—William D. Brown, Outdoor Life, 13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clenched
Verb
-
Parents clutched their children closer.—
Amy Driscoll,
Miami Herald,
3 May 2026
-
Flowers surrounded the baby girl's tiny casket inside the Lawrence Woodward Funeral Home in Crown Heights, as family members clutched each other and said their final goodbyes.—
Naveen Dhaliwal,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His hand gripped the side bar of an umbrella stroller that had a toddler kicking her legs up, dressed in daisy-print overalls.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
-
After jubilation gripped the players against Everton, Nuno walked on the field to congratulate Wilson.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.—
Daniel S. Levine,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clenched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clenched. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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