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

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

The brand has also slowly expanded its offering to include leather totes, clutches and ties, as well as unisex jewelry. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 20 July 2026

Cyclops Odysseus’s wittiest ploy in Homer’s tale concerns him and his men’s escape from the clutches of Polyphemus, the giant cyclops (and son of Poseidon). — Marlow Stern, Variety, 17 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