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
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
From the classic office-ready toe bag to teensy clutches to hold essentials, these are the classic handbag styles that have stayed in style for decades.
—Jasmine Fox-Suliaman, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
In the episode, Eilish portrayed the leader of a women’s empowerment cult that lures the main character, Dre (Dominique Fishback), into her charming clutches.
—Annie Harrigan, Billboard, 11 Mar. 2026
Paramount Theatre, Waterloo Park and Stubb's BBQ operate a clear bag policy, but permit small clutches.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
In a famous fossil bed in Brazil, researchers have discovered a new treasure of three egg clutches.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 7 Mar. 2026
Guests with no bags or clutches smaller than 4 inches by 6 inches can use Evolv express entry lanes for quickest entry.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 26 Feb. 2026
This new system replaces those clutches with an 8-kW electric motor removing the delay of hydraulic pressure building up, allowing instant torque shifts.
—New Atlas, 24 Feb. 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
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
From the classic office-ready toe bag to teensy clutches to hold essentials, these are the classic handbag styles that have stayed in style for decades.
—Jasmine Fox-Suliaman, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
In the episode, Eilish portrayed the leader of a women’s empowerment cult that lures the main character, Dre (Dominique Fishback), into her charming clutches.
—Annie Harrigan, Billboard, 11 Mar. 2026
Paramount Theatre, Waterloo Park and Stubb's BBQ operate a clear bag policy, but permit small clutches.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026
In a famous fossil bed in Brazil, researchers have discovered a new treasure of three egg clutches.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 7 Mar. 2026
Guests with no bags or clutches smaller than 4 inches by 6 inches can use Evolv express entry lanes for quickest entry.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 26 Feb. 2026
This new system replaces those clutches with an 8-kW electric motor removing the delay of hydraulic pressure building up, allowing instant torque shifts.
—New Atlas, 24 Feb. 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
-
Featuring the show’s slogan over a sunny pop of color, this sturdy ceramic mug holds a generous 15 ounces of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa, and is your Immunity Idol against a dull routine.—
Brittany Anas,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
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According to Karen Wheeler-Hall, Rothe’s owner and CEO, the firm holds a portion of an $814 million contract to provide NASA with videography, photography and other multimedia services.—
Brandon Lingle,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This hearty dish grabs extra flavor from browning the pork chops very well in the skillet in order to produce a flavorful pan sauce with mustard and cream.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
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Think about how many times a day everyone in your household touches a light switch or grabs the remote.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clutches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutches. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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