Synonyms of clutches

clutches 1 of 3

noun (1)

plural of clutch

1

as in clusters

a number of things considered as a unit

a clutch of medals adorned the general's chest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clusters
• batches
• collections
• arrays
• sets
• bunches
• batteries
• assemblages
• groups
• packages
• constellations
• groupings
• clumps
• lots
• assortments
• blocks
• series
• banks
• mixtures
• varieties
• bands
• suites
• clots
• knots
• parcels
• accumulations
• huddles
• aggregates
• passels
• aggregations
• musters
• the whole kit and caboodle
• suits
• sundries
• jumbles
• runs
• agglomerations
• conglomerations
• cycles
• odds and ends
• hodgepodges
• miscellanies

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• units
• items
• entities
• singles

2

as in groups

a usually small number of persons considered as a unit

a clutch of people traveling together

Synonyms & Similar Words

• groups
• batches
• groupings
• clusters
• bands
• bunches
• lots
• crops
• batteries
• consorts
• teams
• platoons
• crews
• bodies
• arrays
• parties
• squadrons
• constellations
• knots
• battalions
• circles
• collectives
• parcels
• organizations
• boodles
• schools
• huddles
• rings
• gangs
• brigades
• passels
• gatherings
• the whole kit and caboodle
• assemblies
• posses
• sets
• congregations
• cliques
• outfits
• factions
• clans
• fellowships
• guilds
• rounds
• broods
• sects
• task forces
• coteries
• unions
• musters
• coalitions
• phalanxes
• blocs
• orders
• alliances
• federations
• leagues
• confederacies
• confederations
• bevies
• coveys

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• individuals
• singles

clutches

2 of 3

noun (2)

plural of clutch

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

• crises
• crossroads
• heads
• situations
• extremities
• emergencies
• flash points
• exigencies
• boiling points
• junctures
• breaking points
• crunches
• predicaments
• possibilities
• crunch times
• tinderboxes
• conjunctures
• Dunkirks
• points of no return
• zero hours
• moments of truth
• milestones
• climaxes
• conditions
• corners
• contingencies
• straits
• turning points
• passes
• happenings
• scrapes
• jams
• landmarks
• hot waters
• pinches
• spots
• deadlocks
• holes
• fixes
• impasses
• stalemates
• last minutes
• last ditches
• eleventh hours

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

• powers
• controls
• dominions
• sways
• reigns
• grips
• arms
• reins
• authorities
• commands
• jurisdictions
• death grips
• sovereignties
• influences
• holds
• privileges
• pulls
• voices
• dominances
• managements
• weights
• rights
• prerogatives
• clouts
• masteries
• supremacies
• directions
• leverages
• imperiums
• predominances
• moments
• eminences
• importances

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weaknesses
• impotences
• impotencies

clutches

3 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of clutch

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

• grips
• clenches
• holds
• grabs
• carries
• clings (to)
• cradles
• traps
• bags
• takes
• snatches
• grasps
• fingers
• lands
• handles
• holds on to
• captures
• clasps
• nails
• seizes
• hangs on to
• hooks
• grapples
• snares
• feels
• hugs
• catches
• snaps (up)
• collars
• latches (on or onto)
• paws
• embraces
• bears
• corrals
• nabs

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hands
• gives
• drops
• unclasps
• renders
• releases
• relinquishes
• yields
• delivers
• unhands
• hands out
• turns over
• cedes
• hands over
• gives up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of clutches

Noun

Melissa Albert, The Children This debut adult novel by long-time YA author Melissa Albert had me in its clutches from the first page. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

Accessories include structured metal clutches, zebra-print bags and sneakers, calfskin boots and pieces incorporating dragonfly hardware. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026

Those are responsible for starting the diesel engines, which can be divorced via a lever that engages and disengages the inboard steering clutches. — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 20 Aug. 2026

The battle to save a section of SpaceX's giant Starship rocket from the clutches of the Indian Ocean appeared to have been lost. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026

But as the episode closes out on another flash-forward to Joe’s captivity, we’re reminded that the plan of escape from this hellish timeline only throws her deeper into its clutches. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2026

The store’s Sri Lankan linen clothing is made nearby, as are the colorful wallets and clutches crafted from upcycled plastic and used fishing rope. — Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026

This design has enough space to clear 14 pairs of shoes from your closet plus a slim drawer on top for storing things like sunglasses, clutches, small umbrellas, and more. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2026

Whether in roomy totes or chic evening clutches, the color brought an elegant warmth to any moment. — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 31 July 2026

Verb

Anna practically clutches her pearls when asked to help the homeless. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

For years, Guerin has held onto his veteran core like a grandmother clutches her third-generation pearls. — Michael Russo, New York Times, 2 July 2026

In the midst of handing the job over to his son, even as Diego is making a speech about water supplies, hygiene and education, Don Alejandro snatches it back to cheers, clutches his heart and dies. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

In it, Marilyn clutches the pillow toward her, revealing her disarming fragility. — Michael Soncin, Vanity Fair, 9 June 2026

Here, a guest clutches hers as the finishing touch to her breezy button-down, maxi skirt, and heeled flip-flops. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 3 June 2026

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