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, 26 Feb. 2026
The Sport Differential of 2008 used hydraulic clutches and gears to push torque to the outside wheel under load.
—New Atlas, 24 Feb. 2026
Years or even decades can pass between successful clutches of eggs.
—Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Years or even decades can pass between successful clutches of eggs.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
Bulgari pushed its definition of precious by highlighting precious clutches.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
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
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
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 Feb. 2026
The Sport Differential of 2008 used hydraulic clutches and gears to push torque to the outside wheel under load.
—New Atlas, 24 Feb. 2026
Years or even decades can pass between successful clutches of eggs.
—Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Years or even decades can pass between successful clutches of eggs.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
Bulgari pushed its definition of precious by highlighting precious clutches.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
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
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
-
Weatherspoon holds offers from mid-majors such as Buffalo, High Point University, Northern Colorado and UTEP.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Players can choose whether to throw the stone alone or with a teammate who holds the wheelchair steady.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Barber then grabs her firearm from her vehicle and Riley's girlfriend also retrieves an item from the vehicle, according to the complaint.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Isabelle slides off Sarah’s lap, flings the towel, pulls on her swimming mask, grabs her mom’s hand and tugs her toward the pool.—
Gerald Witt,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clutches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutches. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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