as in clenched
to have or keep in one's hands
he clutched the eggs carefully so he wouldn't drop them
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Recent Examples of clutched
Others brought flowers, clutched to their chests.
—
Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
Along Ferrari Ranch Road in Lincoln, Karl and Jan Hess clutched to protest signs.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Last year, the Checkers almost clutched the Calder Cup trophy for the second time in franchise history under the American Hockey League banner.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
Aunt Fely clutched her chest when my mother told her of Nora’s death.
—Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
When Contributing Editor Sheri Castle revealed that the secret to crystal clear sweet tea was a teaspoon of baking soda, some Southern Living readers clutched their pearls in disbelief.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
An elderly, white-bearded man clutched a walking staff, like an urban Gandalf, disseminating wise vibes.
—Brian Barth, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
Benedict is still all in with love, convincingly enough that Sophie sneaks back to her room, glowing and grinning, with the drawing of Our Cottage clutched in her hands.
—Christina Grace Tucker, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Paperbacks are peeking out of purses, clutched in hand by A-listers like Bella Hadid and Kaia Gerber, and even dangling from handbags as charms.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
Along Ferrari Ranch Road in Lincoln, Karl and Jan Hess clutched to protest signs.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Last year, the Checkers almost clutched the Calder Cup trophy for the second time in franchise history under the American Hockey League banner.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
Aunt Fely clutched her chest when my mother told her of Nora’s death.
—Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
When Contributing Editor Sheri Castle revealed that the secret to crystal clear sweet tea was a teaspoon of baking soda, some Southern Living readers clutched their pearls in disbelief.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
An elderly, white-bearded man clutched a walking staff, like an urban Gandalf, disseminating wise vibes.
—Brian Barth, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
Benedict is still all in with love, convincingly enough that Sophie sneaks back to her room, glowing and grinning, with the drawing of Our Cottage clutched in her hands.
—Christina Grace Tucker, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Paperbacks are peeking out of purses, clutched in hand by A-listers like Bella Hadid and Kaia Gerber, and even dangling from handbags as charms.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutched
Verb
-
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
-
After Barrett finished the sequence with a dunk on the other end, Barnes turned back to his bench, clenched his fists and screamed.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Rex Heuermann, the man charged with seven of the Gilgo Beach murders that gripped Long Island, New York, is expected to plead guilty next month, according to a source.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Without rain in the forecast for the next seven days, the extreme drought that has gripped the Interstate 35 corridor, including the Austin metro area, parts of the Texas Hill Country and much of the region's watersheds is likely to not only persist but also intensify.—
Roberto Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Mar. 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
Verb
-
Shamet was fouled on the play and missed the and-one free throw, but second-year backup big man Ariel Hukporti grabbed the offensive rebound to create a second shot opportunity.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Walmart grabbed 23% of the market share last year, the same as in 2024.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clutched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutched. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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