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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clenched
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
To estimate 10 degrees in the sky, use the width of your clenched first held at arm's length.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2025
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
To estimate 10 degrees in the sky, use the width of your clenched first held at arm's length.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clenched
Verb
-
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
-
Elliot Cadeau came rushing over to his mom after the game, a fistful of maize-and-blue confetti clutched tight in his hand.—
Justin Williams,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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While his parents were able to keep their reactions close to the vest, Prince George was clearly gripped by what was happening on the court during Wimbledon 2022.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
-
The male wolf, named Neukgu, burrowed out of his enclosure at the O-World zoo in Daejeon on April 8, prompting a search that gripped the nation and raised fears about his safety.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 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 23 Apr. 2026.
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