Synonyms of clutch

clutch 1 of 3

noun (1)

1

as in cluster

a number of things considered as a unit

a clutch of medals adorned the general's chest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cluster
• batch
• collection
• array
• assemblage
• battery
• bunch
• package
• set
• constellation
• clump
• group
• grouping
• lot
• assortment
• series
• bank
• suite
• block
• band
• mixture
• huddle
• knot
• variety
• clot
• accumulation
• parcel
• aggregation
• aggregate
• muster
• passel
• jumble
• the whole kit and caboodle
• agglomeration
• sundries
• conglomeration
• suit
• cycle
• odds and ends
• hodgepodge
• miscellany
• run

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unit
• item
• entity
• single

2

as in batch

a usually small number of persons considered as a unit

a clutch of people traveling together

Synonyms & Similar Words

• batch
• grouping
• group
• cluster
• band
• bunch
• battery
• lot
• team
• crop
• platoon
• array
• crew
• huddle
• party
• body
• knot
• collective
• consort
• constellation
• circle
• squadron
• gathering
• battalion
• parcel
• brigade
• organization
• assembly
• ring
• school
• boodle
• passel
• round
• the whole kit and caboodle
• gang
• posse
• coterie
• clique
• clan
• task force
• set
• outfit
• phalanx
• congregation
• union
• guild
• brood
• faction
• coalition
• league
• bloc
• sect
• muster
• fellowship
• alliance
• confederacy
• bevy
• order
• federation
• covey
• confederation

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• individual
• single

clutch

2 of 3

noun (2)

1

as in crisis

a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action

a football quarterback who always comes through in the clutch

Synonyms & Similar Words

• crisis
• head
• emergency
• crossroad(s)
• situation
• flash point
• crunch
• crunch time
• boiling point
• extremity
• juncture
• point of no return
• breaking point
• moment of truth
• exigency
• conjuncture
• zero hour
• tinderbox
• milestone
• Dunkirk
• possibility
• predicament
• condition
• contingency
• climax
• turning point
• corner
• pinch
• hot water
• jam
• spot
• pass
• landmark
• happening
• hole
• strait
• deadlock
• fix
• last ditch
• impasse
• scrape
• stalemate
• last minute
• eleventh hour

2

as in power

the right or means to command or control others

a nation no longer living in the clutch of a cruel tyrant

Synonyms & Similar Words

• power
• control
• sway
• dominion
• grip
• reign
• arm
• command
• mastery
• authority
• death grip
• jurisdiction
• rein(s)
• sovereignty
• influence
• hold
• dominance
• pull
• management
• voice
• privilege
• leverage
• clout
• weight
• right
• direction
• importance
• supremacy
• prerogative
• predominance
• imperium
• eminence
• moment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impotence
• powerlessness
• weakness
• helplessness
• impotency

clutch

3 of 3

verb

ˈkləch 

as in to grip

to have or keep in one's hands

he clutched the eggs carefully so he wouldn't drop them

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grip
• clench
• hold
• grab
• carry
• cradle
• cling (to)
• hold on to
• trap
• take
• handle
• hang on to
• snatch
• bag
• clasp
• grasp
• capture
• hug
• hook
• seize
• nail
• snap (up)
• feel
• grapple
• finger
• catch
• snare
• latch (on or onto)
• collar
• land
• paw
• embrace
• bear
• nab
• corral

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hand
• give
• drop
• unclasp
• release
• relinquish
• render
• deliver
• yield
• unhand
• turn over
• hand over
• give up
• cede
• hand out

Synonym Chooser

How is the word clutch different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of clutch are grab, grasp, seize, snatch, and take. While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

clutching her purse

How do grab and snatch relate to one another, in the sense of clutch?

Grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

grabbed roughly by the arm

When can grasp be used instead of clutch?

The words grasp and clutch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

grasp the handle and pull

In what contexts can seize take the place of clutch?

While in some cases nearly identical to clutch, seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

seized the suspect

How are the words snatch and seize related as synonyms of clutch?

Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

snatched a doughnut and ran

Where would take be a reasonable alternative to clutch?

The words take and clutch can be used in similar contexts, but take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

take some salad from the bowl

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of clutch

Noun

In that quarter alone, Williams threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns and made a number of clutch plays. —Tim Rohan, NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026

Taylor accessorized her look by carrying the Bridle clutch by Burberry, along with the label’s Daisy sunglasses. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 16 Jan. 2026

Verb

Parents remain helpless between the clutching fear and unavoidable inaction. —William Jones, USA Today, 19 Jan. 2026

However, multiple turnovers and clutch plays from Diggs and Kayshon Boutte helped the Patriots to the win. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 Jan. 2026