clenches 1 of 2

plural of clench
as in grips
the act or manner of holding fearful that his suitcase might be stolen, he never once relaxed his clench on the handle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

clenches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of clench

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of clenches
Verb
When the sky darkens, her stomach clenches. Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025 In a similar way, a man who is defiant stiffens his neck, squares his shoulders, lowers his brows, and clenches his fists with his knuckles forward. Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025 Zonal reinforcements fend off unfriendly rocks, stumps and features, and a Vibram Megagrip sole clenches all kinds of slippery, unbalanced raw ground. New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025 As Solène leaves, Rainbeau clenches her fists, talking herself out of hitting Solène and remembering the way disputes got resolved in her family. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clenches
Noun
  • New data showed manufacturing contracted this month, but less than expected, a hopeful indication that authorities may be coming to grips with industrial overcapacity.
    Semafor Events, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Now, the father-daughter pair work together on the show as grips, the department responsible for camera support, rigging and more.
    Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The older woman clutches her top towel closer to her.
    Weike Wang, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The Hurricanes needed that to happen after the game nearly slipped out of their grasps.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Halakhic rulings on divorce, medical emergencies, or conversion involve nuance that no present-day model grasps.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But Robbie, ever the scrappy guy, already sees through the naïve guise and holds the FBI Task Force agent at gun point.
    Grace Byron, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Excess water can wear down the glue that holds the bristles and handle together.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Zippers and clasps are built to stand up to daily use—mine has even encountered a few rainstorms—without losing shine or functionality.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Bronze finds include clasps, pins, bracelets, pendants and even a horse figurine.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • When virtual particle pairs pop into existence at the edge of black holes, sometimes the black hole’s gravity grabs one partner while the other escapes.
    Dipangkar Dutta, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
  • When Catalina goes into the kitchen to refill her calabash, Frances grabs the box of Thompson paperbacks and makes a run for Ray at the restaurant.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Clenches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clenches. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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