1
as in clusters
a number of things considered as a unit
a clutch of medals adorned the general's chest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in groups
a usually small number of persons considered as a unit
a clutch of people traveling together
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in crises
a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action
a football quarterback who always comes through in the clutch
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in powers
the right or means to command or control others
a nation no longer living in the clutch of a cruel tyrant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in grips
to have or keep in one's hands
he clutched the eggs carefully so he wouldn't drop them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clutches
Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2025
After escaping the Grabber’s (Ethan Hawke) clutches and putting his killing spree to a permanent end in The Black Phone, Finney investigates a winter camp with his younger sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), who’s had visions of the killer stalking three young boys from beyond the grave.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
Guests with no bags or clutches smaller than 4 inches by 6 inches can use Evolv express entry lanes.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 4 Oct. 2025
The 189,000-square-foot Cleveland County facility produces advanced valves, actuators, clutches, and controls for automotive, truck and off-road vehicles, according to Solero’s website.
—Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Accessories included the Frame bag in softer leather and shapes, soft and sculpted clutches, the drawstring pouch, thong sandals, the demi pump and mules.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Elsewhere, Mariacarla Boscono glided through in Gucci, Donatella Versace traded words with Grigor Dimitrov, and a sea of Bottega Veneta clutches dotted the crowd.
—Sofia Viganò, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025
With an assist from a fed-up Rabbit, Alex escapes from Evelyn’s clutches and forcibly injects her with the psychedelic Leap serum.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Along the way, the recruits will be captured aboard a Star Destroyer, break out of a First Order detention cell, elude the clutches of Kylo Ren and escape back to a secret base on Batuu.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Weike Wang, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
The latter is a Canadian teenager who made the journey across the border in an effort to rescue her best friend, Abbie (Sydney Topliffe), from the clutches of this institution that her parents forced her to attend.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2025
After escaping the Grabber’s (Ethan Hawke) clutches and putting his killing spree to a permanent end in The Black Phone, Finney investigates a winter camp with his younger sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), who’s had visions of the killer stalking three young boys from beyond the grave.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
Guests with no bags or clutches smaller than 4 inches by 6 inches can use Evolv express entry lanes.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 4 Oct. 2025
The 189,000-square-foot Cleveland County facility produces advanced valves, actuators, clutches, and controls for automotive, truck and off-road vehicles, according to Solero’s website.
—Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Accessories included the Frame bag in softer leather and shapes, soft and sculpted clutches, the drawstring pouch, thong sandals, the demi pump and mules.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Elsewhere, Mariacarla Boscono glided through in Gucci, Donatella Versace traded words with Grigor Dimitrov, and a sea of Bottega Veneta clutches dotted the crowd.
—Sofia Viganò, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025
With an assist from a fed-up Rabbit, Alex escapes from Evelyn’s clutches and forcibly injects her with the psychedelic Leap serum.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Along the way, the recruits will be captured aboard a Star Destroyer, break out of a First Order detention cell, elude the clutches of Kylo Ren and escape back to a secret base on Batuu.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
The older woman clutches her top towel closer to her.
—Weike Wang, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutches
Verb
-
Continue reading … ON THE RUN – Fear grips major US city as accused teen killer escapes in jail error.—
,
FOXNews.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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The latest such exchange – from a reader in Australia, too far for a pint – related to the looming fiscal catastrophe that uniquely grips most of the major G7 economies and China.—
Mike O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When the sky darkens, her stomach clenches.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
-
In a similar way, a man who is defiant stiffens his neck, squares his shoulders, lowers his brows, and clenches his fists with his knuckles forward.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But Robbie, ever the scrappy guy, already sees through the naïve guise and holds the FBI Task Force agent at gun point.—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Excess water can wear down the glue that holds the bristles and handle together.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When virtual particle pairs pop into existence at the edge of black holes, sometimes the black hole’s gravity grabs one partner while the other escapes.—
Dipangkar Dutta,
The Conversation,
3 Oct. 2025
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When Catalina goes into the kitchen to refill her calabash, Frances grabs the box of Thompson paperbacks and makes a run for Ray at the restaurant.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clutches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutches. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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