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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clutched
Knickers were twisted and pearls clutched.
—
Dana O'Neil, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Bars and restaurants were already riddled with screens before everyone at the table also clutched one in their hand.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
In less than a second, the ball was clutched in Grizzle’s outstretched arms before he was brought down to the turf, part blue and part orange.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2025
Women clutched children in their arms, weeping uncontrollably.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
Whether draped, cinched, wrapped, or clutched at the sternum, there’s no wrong way to mater this versatile piece.
—Minty Mellon, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
The twenty-one-year-old is talking on the phone, and the ten-year-old is asleep on the sofa, her iPad clutched in her hands, her mouth slightly open.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
With the Emmy engraving completed, Einbender held the trophy in one hand, clutched the hem of her one-shoulder Louis Vuitton gown and her heels with the other, and ambled into the party.
—USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
According to The Cut, Tami also impersonated Kendra for her last Halloween party, dressing as a scarecrow in a prison jumpsuit paired with a mask of her mugshot and phones clutched in its hands.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Dana O'Neil, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Bars and restaurants were already riddled with screens before everyone at the table also clutched one in their hand.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
In less than a second, the ball was clutched in Grizzle’s outstretched arms before he was brought down to the turf, part blue and part orange.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2025
Women clutched children in their arms, weeping uncontrollably.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
Whether draped, cinched, wrapped, or clutched at the sternum, there’s no wrong way to mater this versatile piece.
—Minty Mellon, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
The twenty-one-year-old is talking on the phone, and the ten-year-old is asleep on the sofa, her iPad clutched in her hands, her mouth slightly open.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
With the Emmy engraving completed, Einbender held the trophy in one hand, clutched the hem of her one-shoulder Louis Vuitton gown and her heels with the other, and ambled into the party.
—USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
According to The Cut, Tami also impersonated Kendra for her last Halloween party, dressing as a scarecrow in a prison jumpsuit paired with a mask of her mugshot and phones clutched in its hands.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutched
Verb
-
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
Verb
-
Venezuela is gripped by fear and uncertainty in the aftermath of the removal of longtime leader Nicolás Maduro, with many inside the country questioning whether his capture truly signals the end of the authoritarian system that has ruled for years.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
-
In a court case that gripped the nation, Karen Read was cleared of the murder charges relating to the death of her boyfriend John O’Keefe, a Boston police officer.—
Isabelle Friedman,
Boston Herald,
31 Dec. 2025
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
-
Javonte Green missed a potential tying 3-point try and Paul Reed grabbed the rebound, but committed Detroit's 25th turnover.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Carolyn Collins scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Mya Korpal had 15 points as Winchester came back to defeat Reading 54-53 in Middlesex League play.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clutched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutched. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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