CLUTCHED Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

clutched

verb

past tense of clutch

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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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 For decades, sweaty hands clutched the ridged yellow wood on test day. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 Dian Weys’ drama Vultures clutched top honors at HollyShorts Sunday evening, winning the prestigious festival’s Grand Jury Prize for Best Short Film. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 23 Aug. 2026 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutched

Verb

As the recording played, with Davis recounting seeing the ambulance that was carrying the rapper, Shakur’s sister clenched her left hand against her mouth.

— Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of clenched

Verb

And there Marcia was, slumped on the banquette, the plastic glass still gripped in her hand, her eyes rolled back.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
An immigrant of Indian descent who had moved to New York from Guyana, he was gripped by fear as an anti-Middle Eastern sentiment took hold in the wake of the attacks.

— USA TODAY staff, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of gripped

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

Definition of held

Verb

Oliver grabbed a hat-trick to take his tally for the season to seven in just four games after four against Leeds United the previous week.

— Rob Tanner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
At 4 o’clock on a Thursday morning, Salomon Olea grabbed a packed lunch of a ham-and- cheese torta and a white peach, kissed his wife goodbye and left the home in Escondido he’s owned for nearly 30 years.

— Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of grabbed

Browse Nearby Words

clutch bags

clutched

clutches

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“Clutched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutched. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of clutched

verb

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