Synonyms of clenched

clenched

verb

past tense of clench

as in clutched

to have or keep in one's hands

clenched a tissue in his hands as he told his story of misfortune

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clutched
• gripped
• held
• grabbed
• carried
• clung (to)
• cradled
• took
• clasped
• snatched
• held on to
• hugged
• grasped
• trapped
• seized
• hung on to
• captured
• felt
• bore
• handled
• fingered
• grappled
• snapped (up)
• hooked
• bagged
• caught
• landed
• nailed
• pawed
• embraced
• latched (on or onto)
• corralled
• collared
• snared
• nabbed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• handed
• gave
• dropped
• unclasped
• rendered
• released
• delivered
• unhanded
• relinquished
• turned over
• yielded
• handed over
• handed out
• gave up
• ceded

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of clenched

At the final whistle, Mbappe clenched his fists and appeared to look the other way as Paraguay’s goalkeeper Orlando Gill sought a handshake. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026

The White House Key Facts A rendering of the passport shared by the White House on Friday shows Trump presumably leaning over the Resolute Desk, fists clenched, alongside his signature and text from the Declaration of Independence. — Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

Coley and the audience know this isn’t true, but Sonya’s clenched jaw and steely gaze don’t leave room for questions. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 26 June 2026

The fellow fan seemingly signaled so, as the heir to the throne clenched his hand into a festive fist pump. — Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026

As the ball landed safely on the other side of the left field fence at Nationals Park on Monday, Dylan Crews clenched his fists and let out a scream. — Danielle Allentuck, Washington Post, 16 June 2026

An accompanying photograph shows Glimcher holding the viewer’s gaze, his right hand outstretched on the desk, clenched in a tight fist. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 4 June 2026

Tuanzebe—born in Bunia, raised in Rochdale—is sprinting toward the corner flag, fists clenched at his waist, triumphant. — Franklin Leonard, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026

Knives are clutched, teeth are clenched, and a desperate Russian ex-pat yells loud enough for their long-dead ancestors to hear all the way back in the motherland. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 May 2026