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
James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026
After Federer escaped the clutches of moderator and media, a crowd of fans assembled below an overhanging balcony, taking pictures of him doing his next interview.
—Owen Lewis, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Thankfully, at that moment, the one survivor who escaped the Jimmies' clutches, a pregnant woman named Cathy (Mirren Mack) who has been hiding in the rafters watching these horrors unfold, unhitches a large hook that swings down and impales Jimmima in the back of the head.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 16 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
Marine conservation biologist Annette Broderick of the University of Exeter in England, who is one of the scientific advisers of the turtle-monitoring project in Cyprus, says the older and more experienced females, who lay multiple clutches in a nesting season, are driving the trend.
—Elizabeth Preston, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
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, 26 Nov. 2025
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
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
After Federer escaped the clutches of moderator and media, a crowd of fans assembled below an overhanging balcony, taking pictures of him doing his next interview.
—Owen Lewis, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Thankfully, at that moment, the one survivor who escaped the Jimmies' clutches, a pregnant woman named Cathy (Mirren Mack) who has been hiding in the rafters watching these horrors unfold, unhitches a large hook that swings down and impales Jimmima in the back of the head.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 16 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
Marine conservation biologist Annette Broderick of the University of Exeter in England, who is one of the scientific advisers of the turtle-monitoring project in Cyprus, says the older and more experienced females, who lay multiple clutches in a nesting season, are driving the trend.
—Elizabeth Preston, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
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, 26 Nov. 2025
Verb
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
-
This shoe is also outfitted with a high-traction outsole that effectively grips the ground for a stable landing every time.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The bottom of the mat has a textured backing that grips the floor, keeping it in place and preventing slips and falls.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
When the sky darkens, her stomach clenches.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The central legal question was whether the board of governors or the club’s voting members holds the ultimate power to authorize major capital projects and debt.—
Chase Jordan
January 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
-
New York — Collective wisdom holds that an independent central bank is absolutely vital for any advanced economy.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But as the ball arrives the defender grabs the jersey with the right hand and pulls the defender down.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
-
As one officer grabs at her door handle, a third officer who had circled to the front of the SUV from the opposite side draws his gun.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clutches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutches. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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