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
Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Wednesday first tries to save Pugsley from Isaac’s clutches by positioning Thing out of sight, ready to shoot.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Target just dropped new bags for fall, and there are plenty to peruse, including crossbodies, clutches, and totes.
—Melody Kazel, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Guests with no bags or clutches smaller than 4 inches by 6 inches can use Evolv express entry lanes.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Would Chance ever escape the clutches of this public cruelty?
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025
The fluid recommended for most clutches is actually brake fluid.
—Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 19 June 2025
Structured shapes reigned supreme, from boxy clutches at Hermès to the rectangular Hug bag at Ferragamo.
—Rosana Lai, Glamour, 30 Dec. 2024
Rounding out the looks are relaxed outerwear and accessories such as oversized clutches, sleek bowling bags, and luxe, shearling hats.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Weike Wang, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
To be unable to keep him from Liverpool’s clutches three years later was a stark illustration of 21st-century football reality.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Wednesday first tries to save Pugsley from Isaac’s clutches by positioning Thing out of sight, ready to shoot.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Target just dropped new bags for fall, and there are plenty to peruse, including crossbodies, clutches, and totes.
—Melody Kazel, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Guests with no bags or clutches smaller than 4 inches by 6 inches can use Evolv express entry lanes.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Would Chance ever escape the clutches of this public cruelty?
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 20 Aug. 2025
The fluid recommended for most clutches is actually brake fluid.
—Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 19 June 2025
Structured shapes reigned supreme, from boxy clutches at Hermès to the rectangular Hug bag at Ferragamo.
—Rosana Lai, Glamour, 30 Dec. 2024
Rounding out the looks are relaxed outerwear and accessories such as oversized clutches, sleek bowling bags, and luxe, shearling hats.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
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
-
The film grips the attention from the opening frames – grainy archive footage of a man wearing a gas mask who drives a pickup truck down a road bordered by white cylindrical storage containers.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
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That’s in part because Kamiya has tapped into the malaise that grips Japan, especially among the under-50 crowd who are fed up with the status quo.—
Jeff Kingston,
Time,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
As Solène leaves, Rainbeau clenches her fists, talking herself out of hitting Solène and remembering the way disputes got resolved in her family.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Google could keep its business at the other side of the programmatic industry, publisher ad servers that alert advertisers of space available on sites–where Google holds about 90% of that market.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Alcaraz now holds a 10-5 career advantage on Sinner, including 4-2 in majors and 7-2 on hardcourts.—
Adam Zagoria,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As fans scramble to catch the ball, footage shows, the ball appears to land one row in front of a woman while a man runs over and grabs it.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
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With City’s left-back, Matheus Nunes, moving out of position to press Mainoo, Ugarte’s involvement grabs the attention of Ilkay Gundogan and Josko Gvardiol.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clutches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutches. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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