clutched

past tense of clutch

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 clutched Throughout his wanderings, the uxorious Odysseus clings to a little doll figure, intended to represent his wife (like the spinning top clutched by Leonardo DiCaprio in 'Inception'); the real woman is barely more interesting. Edward Segarra, USA Today, 28 July 2026 The German fell to the ground and clutched his right knee in pain, with Sinner coming over to check on his opponent before helping Zverev up off the grass. ABC News, 12 July 2026 Kirk’s widow, Erika, clutched a tissue and watched intently as a person said to be Robinson ran across the roof. Hannah Schoenbaum, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026 Allowance clutched in hot hands, the neighborhood kids come together to choose among ice pops, Italian ice, and all kinds of colorful ice cream treats. Holly Lebowitz Rossi, Parents, 2 July 2026 Women clutched photographs of sons and brothers killed in the war — many of them fighting for Hezbollah — while others held photographs of Nasrallah or Iran’s Khamenei. Fadi Tawil, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 Eitan, 3, clutched a dinosaur while his older brother, Abel, 6, held a bright orange fox clad in a rainbow long-sleeve shirt. Miami Herald, 25 June 2026 And there Salah was, standing barefoot on a small podium, the Player of the Game trophy clutched between his hands. Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 22 June 2026 Hathaway clutched her belly one last time before running off camera. Hannah Malach, InStyle, 19 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutched
Verb
  • Clad in the world champion’s rainbows, Evenepoel clenched both his fists, beamed a toothy grin, and hugged his soigneur.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The White House Key Facts A rendering of the passport shared by the White House on Friday shows Trump presumably leaning over the Resolute Desk, fists clenched, alongside his signature and text from the Declaration of Independence.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • In England, where half the country is gripped by drought, firefighters battled a wildfire on an east coast heath in Suffolk, near a nuclear power station that fire services said wasn’t threatened.
    Mark Carlson, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
  • Blazes in touristic Mugla and Antalya and elsewhere raged overnight as hot weather and strong winds gripped the region.
    CBS News, CBS News, 30 July 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
  • His teacher grabbed him and ran him bleeding down the halls, in circles, screaming through the school until help caught up.
    Gabriel Winslow-Yost, New Yorker, 30 July 2026
  • Bryan Kohberger’s innocence claim and the smoky skies of Boise grabbed the attention the past two days.
    Chadd Cripe. Produced with AI assistance, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Clutched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutched. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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