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
Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 27 Oct. 2025
So while oil-rich states acquired Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, and the Premier League boomed with equity funding from the United States, the biggest team on the planet remained beyond the clutches of private investors.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Large clutches, like those at Bottega Veneta and Chanel, and comfortable shoulder bags like the Miu Miu multi-pocket bag, also featured.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
The Cleveland County facility produces advanced valves, actuators, clutches, and controls for automotive, truck and off-road vehicles.
—Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2025
The latter is a Canadian teenager who made the journey across the border in an effort to rescue her best friend, Abbie (Sydney Topliffe), from the clutches of this institution that her parents forced her to attend.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2025
After escaping the Grabber’s (Ethan Hawke) clutches and putting his killing spree to a permanent end in The Black Phone, Finney investigates a winter camp with his younger sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), who’s had visions of the killer stalking three young boys from beyond the grave.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
Elsewhere, Mariacarla Boscono glided through in Gucci, Donatella Versace traded words with Grigor Dimitrov, and a sea of Bottega Veneta clutches dotted the crowd.
—Sofia Viganò, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025
With an assist from a fed-up Rabbit, Alex escapes from Evelyn’s clutches and forcibly injects her with the psychedelic Leap serum.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Weike Wang, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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, 27 Oct. 2025
So while oil-rich states acquired Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, and the Premier League boomed with equity funding from the United States, the biggest team on the planet remained beyond the clutches of private investors.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Large clutches, like those at Bottega Veneta and Chanel, and comfortable shoulder bags like the Miu Miu multi-pocket bag, also featured.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
The Cleveland County facility produces advanced valves, actuators, clutches, and controls for automotive, truck and off-road vehicles.
—Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2025
The latter is a Canadian teenager who made the journey across the border in an effort to rescue her best friend, Abbie (Sydney Topliffe), from the clutches of this institution that her parents forced her to attend.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2025
After escaping the Grabber’s (Ethan Hawke) clutches and putting his killing spree to a permanent end in The Black Phone, Finney investigates a winter camp with his younger sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), who’s had visions of the killer stalking three young boys from beyond the grave.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
Elsewhere, Mariacarla Boscono glided through in Gucci, Donatella Versace traded words with Grigor Dimitrov, and a sea of Bottega Veneta clutches dotted the crowd.
—Sofia Viganò, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025
With an assist from a fed-up Rabbit, Alex escapes from Evelyn’s clutches and forcibly injects her with the psychedelic Leap serum.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
The older woman clutches her top towel closer to her.
—Weike Wang, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutches
Verb
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Despite the animal's visible distress, the jaguar grips the support and allows itself to be guided to safety.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Continue reading … ON THE RUN – Fear grips major US city as accused teen killer escapes in jail error.—
,
FOXNews.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When the sky darkens, her stomach clenches.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
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In a similar way, a man who is defiant stiffens his neck, squares his shoulders, lowers his brows, and clenches his fists with his knuckles forward.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Polls show Sherrill in a tight race in New Jersey, while Spanberger holds a lead in Virginia.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Broncos defensive tackle Eyioma Uwazurike was given a year-long suspension in 2023 by the NFL for betting on games, and the team holds presentations on gambling every season, head coach Sean Payton said Friday.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After Grace quotes Zooey Deschanel's character, Thames grabs her face and kisses her out of the frame.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Another strong Lions performance could mark a turning point this season where Detroit grabs control of the division and doesn't look back.—
Nick Meyer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clutches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutches. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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