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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of clutches
Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Indeed, Ram turns out to be a kind, decent fellow with his own troubles trying to save his business from the clutches of his step-family.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Conor O’Neill Brighton & Hove Albion Alex Jimenez Unfortunately, Bournemouth already have Brighton’s ideal signing in their clutches.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Bradley is desperate to escape his keeper's clutches.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
The film centers on Westley (Cary Elwes), a farmhand who goes on a noble quest to rescue his beloved Buttercup (Robin Wright) from the clutches of the loathsome Prince Humperdink (Chris Sarandon), to whom she's unhappily betrothed.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026
Holly, on the other hand, wakes up in Vecna's clutches, surrounded by the 11 other kids from her class he's taken to the Upside Down.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
That’s how Brenner got Henry in his clutches, realizing that Henry had gone to Dimension X and returned with a unique blood type, a different personality and new powers.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 25 Dec. 2025
Traveling to India, a country that was similar to Nigeria, having also lived through the clutches of British colonial rule, and as well, home to a dynamic artistic and cultural history left a lasting mark on her.
—Folasade Ologundudu, Essence, 23 Dec. 2025
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
Spanning across more than 13,000 square miles of Northern Italy, the 2026 Winter Olympics are less of a singular experience for athletes, locals and fans, and more of several different clutches of sports occurring simultaneously with little accessibility between the events.
—Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Indeed, Ram turns out to be a kind, decent fellow with his own troubles trying to save his business from the clutches of his step-family.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
Conor O’Neill Brighton & Hove Albion Alex Jimenez Unfortunately, Bournemouth already have Brighton’s ideal signing in their clutches.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Bradley is desperate to escape his keeper's clutches.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
The film centers on Westley (Cary Elwes), a farmhand who goes on a noble quest to rescue his beloved Buttercup (Robin Wright) from the clutches of the loathsome Prince Humperdink (Chris Sarandon), to whom she's unhappily betrothed.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026
Holly, on the other hand, wakes up in Vecna's clutches, surrounded by the 11 other kids from her class he's taken to the Upside Down.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
That’s how Brenner got Henry in his clutches, realizing that Henry had gone to Dimension X and returned with a unique blood type, a different personality and new powers.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 25 Dec. 2025
Traveling to India, a country that was similar to Nigeria, having also lived through the clutches of British colonial rule, and as well, home to a dynamic artistic and cultural history left a lasting mark on her.
—Folasade Ologundudu, Essence, 23 Dec. 2025
Verb
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
-
The race begins with a rigorous climb up a mountain on skis fitted with a special fabric skin that grips the snow as the athletes sprint uphill.—
Rob Marciano,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The community held a candlelight vigil to pray for Nancy Guthrie's safe return as the baffling case grips the nation.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 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
-
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
-
The sexy space holds just 20 seats at the bar, and definitely pop into the antique confessional in the back for a photo opp.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
A day after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as he's now known, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the pride Sky Roberts holds for his sister is difficult to hide.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Cathy goes to wipe her fingers on her skirt, but Heathcliff instead grabs her hand and puts her fingers in his mouth.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Soon thereafter, a gear fishing pal of yours gifted you an old, unused fly rod, and that totally grabs a hold of you and completely directs the rest of your life.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clutches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutches. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
