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
Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
In the Midwest, only 7% of clutches reach five eggs.
—Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 29 Apr. 2026
But, does Sasha escape Ben's clutches?
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The structure follows an A to M biopic trajectory, tuning out just when Michael broke free from the evil clutches of his abusive, belt-wielding manager and dad Joseph – portrayed by Colman Domingo, going full tilt as a villain.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Bergamot scents a dish of Alpine trout and cauliflower purée, while one of his team is a forager from the region, and brings back clutches of pine needles and wild spinach.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Black throat monitors reproduce by laying eggs, and females can produce large clutches.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026
Claire Randall falls through the stones at Inverness and, after escaping the clutches of series-best villain Black Jack Randall, links up with those Highlanders and spends time at Castle Leoch and Lallybroch.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026
The import taxes have raised the costs of engines, steel, gearboxes and clutches made abroad that Allen needs to build power trowels that can sell for up to $100,000 each.
—Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Brandy Jensen, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Martin Short clutches his laptop walking onto set for Jimmy Kimmel Live!
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
Mispelys Salazar clutches a stack of papers close to her chest as bristling wind gusts threaten to send them flying into the air.
—Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025
On the plane, Dick clutches the slingshot and begins sweating and muttering to himself before becoming unresponsive.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
The older woman clutches her top towel closer to her.
—Weike Wang, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
Between cleverly convertible shoulder bags and elegant clutches, there’s a pick for every outfit and occasion this spring.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
In the Midwest, only 7% of clutches reach five eggs.
—Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 29 Apr. 2026
But, does Sasha escape Ben's clutches?
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The structure follows an A to M biopic trajectory, tuning out just when Michael broke free from the evil clutches of his abusive, belt-wielding manager and dad Joseph – portrayed by Colman Domingo, going full tilt as a villain.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Bergamot scents a dish of Alpine trout and cauliflower purée, while one of his team is a forager from the region, and brings back clutches of pine needles and wild spinach.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Black throat monitors reproduce by laying eggs, and females can produce large clutches.
—Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026
Claire Randall falls through the stones at Inverness and, after escaping the clutches of series-best villain Black Jack Randall, links up with those Highlanders and spends time at Castle Leoch and Lallybroch.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026
The import taxes have raised the costs of engines, steel, gearboxes and clutches made abroad that Allen needs to build power trowels that can sell for up to $100,000 each.
—Josh Boak, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
Lemann, like the talkative older ladies of her youth, clutches the motifs of her past like talismans.
—Brandy Jensen, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Martin Short clutches his laptop walking onto set for Jimmy Kimmel Live!
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
Mispelys Salazar clutches a stack of papers close to her chest as bristling wind gusts threaten to send them flying into the air.
—Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025
On the plane, Dick clutches the slingshot and begins sweating and muttering to himself before becoming unresponsive.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
The older woman clutches her top towel closer to her.
—Weike Wang, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutches
Verb
-
In one example, the robot grips a can sideways, a simple mistake that could lead to spills, showing that human-like understanding remains limited.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Fast forward to today and those fears have materialized with dizzying speed as a historic oil and gas crisis sparked by the US and Israel’s war with Iran grips the world.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the comedy progresses, its buoyant tone clenches and darkens, and the plot bends and lurches, in ways that, to me, felt unnecessarily punitive toward both Haru and the audience.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
31 Jan. 2026
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As the infection takes hold, a patient’s jaw clenches, forcing the face into what appears to be a wide smile, and the back muscles contort into a painful arch.—
Mustafa Fattah,
NBC news,
24 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Unlike most other races on the ballot, the June 2 election is not a primary and will determine who holds the board seat through June 2030.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
-
Forecasters aren't sure what the future holds.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Kurt's key takeaways The skating is what grabs you first.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
-
This evergreen, perennial vine grabs the attention of those looking for an ornamental groundcover.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clutches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutches. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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