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
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
Between cleverly convertible shoulder bags and elegant clutches, there’s a pick for every outfit and occasion this spring.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
In the Midwest, only 7% of clutches reach five eggs.
—Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 29 Apr. 2026
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
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
Between cleverly convertible shoulder bags and elegant clutches, there’s a pick for every outfit and occasion this spring.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
In the Midwest, only 7% of clutches reach five eggs.
—Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
-
Even if that worked for Palm Beach County, there are no similar millionaire clusters in poor counties to pick up the slack.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2026
-
What grabbed my attention were the intriguing, foot-long violet flower clusters known as panicles hanging amidst the slender, dark green leaves.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
But many critics — including transit, affordable housing, environmental justice and clean water groups — said this amounts to a dismantling of the program.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
The Kansas Coalition for Common Sense, which has supported the petition effort alongside the groups Prairie Progress Civic Action and Leading Kansas, slammed the response.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The move triggered a global collapse of silver prices, froze half the world’s precious metal reserves, and helped ignite the cascading crises of 1873.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
-
Most CEOs are making consequential calls in the margins of their schedule, between meetings, between crises, between everything else.—
Liam Chrismer,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Invading during inopportune weather would spell certain doom for Allied troops and a potentially fatal blow to their efforts against the Axis powers.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
29 May 2026
-
Flanagan has targeted Craig for her support in 2025 of the Laken Riley Act, which expanded federal immigration enforcement powers.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
29 May 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
-
Working in batches if necessary, cook the chicken (with the marinade still on it) until deeply caramelized on the outside, the chicken releases from the pan and its juices run clear, 4 to 6 minutes per side.—
Emily Weinstein,
Twin Cities,
4 June 2026
-
Its buffet presentation is worthy of a magazine photo shoot, and the manakish is baked fresh, with new batches coming out every few minutes (act fast because the slices go quickly).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
When in a forest, stay in proximity to shorter tree groupings.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
-
When in a forest, stay in proximity to shorter tree groupings.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
One of Miami’s most maddening crossroads has become easier to navigate.—
Amaia Gavica,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
-
Walnut Creek developed at the crossroads of two 19th-century routes, one running between Oakland and east Contra Costa County and the other between Martinez, a shipping town on the Carquinez Strait, and San Jose.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clutches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutches. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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