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
ABC News, 16 June 2026
The Tequila style is also offered in a high-heel sandal design version, in flat sandals, slides, clutches, and more.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 12 June 2026
The series serves as an origin story for how Norrin Radd (voiced by Paul Essiembre) becomes the herald of Galactus (James Blendick), then breaks free from the clutches of the Devourer of Worlds to surf around the galaxy and help others.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 3 June 2026
This season, there's a standout style for every occasion, from raffia bags for PTO days and East-West silhouettes for nights out to elongated clutches for weddings and special events.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 3 June 2026
Multiple survivors of Frederick von Mierers' Eternal Values cult are featured in the docuseries, though none more prominently than Hoyt Richards, a former model who used his fame and success to help bankroll von Mierers' enterprise before eventually escaping his clutches.
—Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 2 June 2026
Good luck trying to pry a Louisiana native out of the clutches of Orgeron and the Bayou Bengals moving forward.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Despite being freed from the clutches of PASPA, our two largest states, California and Texas, continue to maintain existing state-law prohibitions against sports gambling, as have nine other states on both sides of the political spectrum.
—Daniel Wallach, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
After Wally springs her from the Shaw's clutches, the group manages to lure the couple and some of their lackeys into the makeshift particle accelerator trap that former engineer Sam built out of old cathode-ray tube TVs.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 21 May 2026
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
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
Each silhouette is thoughtfully designed with unique features tailored to beauty and travel needs like separate packing compartments to keep products organized, palette storage for makeup, brush holders to protect bristles, travel mirrors, and removable pouches that double as chic clutches.
—ABC News, 16 June 2026
The Tequila style is also offered in a high-heel sandal design version, in flat sandals, slides, clutches, and more.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 12 June 2026
The series serves as an origin story for how Norrin Radd (voiced by Paul Essiembre) becomes the herald of Galactus (James Blendick), then breaks free from the clutches of the Devourer of Worlds to surf around the galaxy and help others.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 3 June 2026
This season, there's a standout style for every occasion, from raffia bags for PTO days and East-West silhouettes for nights out to elongated clutches for weddings and special events.
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 3 June 2026
Multiple survivors of Frederick von Mierers' Eternal Values cult are featured in the docuseries, though none more prominently than Hoyt Richards, a former model who used his fame and success to help bankroll von Mierers' enterprise before eventually escaping his clutches.
—Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 2 June 2026
Good luck trying to pry a Louisiana native out of the clutches of Orgeron and the Bayou Bengals moving forward.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Despite being freed from the clutches of PASPA, our two largest states, California and Texas, continue to maintain existing state-law prohibitions against sports gambling, as have nine other states on both sides of the political spectrum.
—Daniel Wallach, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
After Wally springs her from the Shaw's clutches, the group manages to lure the couple and some of their lackeys into the makeshift particle accelerator trap that former engineer Sam built out of old cathode-ray tube TVs.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 21 May 2026
Verb
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
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
Noun
-
Researchers estimate that at least 4% of the ocean's surface is covered by floating mats and clusters of seaweed, with levels expected to increase further throughout June.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
-
Bright orange milkweed aphids (Aphis nerii) usually emerge toward the end of summer and feed in clusters on the stems and leaves of common milkweed, swamp milkweed, and other milkweed plants.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Instead, groups gather on comfortable furniture and chat while sipping cocktails and dealing playing cards.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
-
Break large groups into smaller groups.—
Belonging Forum,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Horrible things happen all the time, crises and catastrophes that defy language and imagination.—
Karen Valby,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
-
So how does one put these two crises in alignment?—
Elizabeth Fazzare,
Architectural Digest,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
But that doesn’t mean the government’s spying powers will disappear.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
12 June 2026
-
The waterless cooling technology can also help establish data centers in areas where water is scarce while abundant solar energy powers the chips and cooling infrastructure.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Together with slight pressure from your foot, the claw head and pedal penetrates soil, grips the weed, and pulls it straight out of the ground from its roots.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
The batches were distilled between January 2015 and April 2016, the whiskey was aged for a full decade in char #4 barrels with char #3 heads, and it was bottled at 102 proof without chill filtration.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
13 June 2026
-
Add chicken to air-fryer basket in batches, if necessary.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
When in a forest, stay in proximity to shorter tree groupings.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
-
When in a forest, stay in proximity to shorter tree groupings.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Trade and cultural exchanges became more fluid, encouraging the emergence of a Mediterranean civilization at the crossroads of West and East.—
Roberto Prieto,
Variety,
17 June 2026
-
At the crossroads the right thing can look like the wrong thing and the wrong thing can look like the right thing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clutches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutches. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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