Synonyms of clutches

clutches 1 of 3

noun (1)

plural of clutch

1

as in clusters

a number of things considered as a unit

a clutch of medals adorned the general's chest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clusters
• batches
• collections
• arrays
• sets
• bunches
• batteries
• assemblages
• groups
• packages
• constellations
• groupings
• clumps
• lots
• assortments
• blocks
• series
• banks
• mixtures
• varieties
• bands
• suites
• clots
• knots
• parcels
• accumulations
• huddles
• aggregates
• passels
• aggregations
• musters
• the whole kit and caboodle
• suits
• sundries
• jumbles
• runs
• agglomerations
• conglomerations
• cycles
• odds and ends
• hodgepodges
• miscellanies

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• units
• items
• entities
• singles

2

as in groups

a usually small number of persons considered as a unit

a clutch of people traveling together

Synonyms & Similar Words

• groups
• batches
• groupings
• clusters
• bands
• bunches
• lots
• crops
• batteries
• consorts
• teams
• platoons
• crews
• bodies
• arrays
• parties
• squadrons
• constellations
• knots
• battalions
• circles
• collectives
• parcels
• organizations
• boodles
• schools
• huddles
• rings
• gangs
• brigades
• passels
• gatherings
• the whole kit and caboodle
• assemblies
• posses
• sets
• congregations
• cliques
• outfits
• factions
• clans
• fellowships
• guilds
• rounds
• broods
• sects
• task forces
• coteries
• unions
• musters
• coalitions
• phalanxes
• blocs
• orders
• alliances
• federations
• leagues
• confederacies
• confederations
• bevies
• coveys

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• individuals
• singles

clutches

2 of 3

noun (2)

plural of clutch

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

• crises
• crossroads
• heads
• situations
• extremities
• emergencies
• flash points
• exigencies
• boiling points
• junctures
• breaking points
• crunches
• predicaments
• possibilities
• crunch times
• tinderboxes
• conjunctures
• Dunkirks
• points of no return
• zero hours
• moments of truth
• milestones
• climaxes
• conditions
• corners
• contingencies
• straits
• turning points
• passes
• happenings
• scrapes
• jams
• landmarks
• hot waters
• pinches
• spots
• deadlocks
• holes
• fixes
• impasses
• stalemates
• last minutes
• last ditches
• eleventh hours

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

• powers
• controls
• dominions
• sways
• reigns
• grips
• arms
• reins
• authorities
• commands
• jurisdictions
• death grips
• sovereignties
• influences
• holds
• privileges
• pulls
• voices
• dominances
• managements
• weights
• rights
• prerogatives
• clouts
• masteries
• supremacies
• directions
• leverages
• imperiums
• predominances
• moments
• eminences
• importances

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weaknesses
• impotences
• impotencies

clutches

3 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of clutch

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

• grips
• clenches
• holds
• grabs
• carries
• clings (to)
• cradles
• traps
• bags
• takes
• snatches
• grasps
• fingers
• lands
• handles
• holds on to
• captures
• clasps
• nails
• seizes
• hangs on to
• hooks
• grapples
• snares
• feels
• hugs
• catches
• snaps (up)
• collars
• latches (on or onto)
• paws
• embraces
• bears
• corrals
• nabs

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hands
• gives
• drops
• unclasps
• renders
• releases
• relinquishes
• yields
• delivers
• unhands
• hands out
• turns over
• cedes
• hands over
• gives up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of clutches

Noun

She’s unknowingly fallen into the clutches of a demented, powerless warlock (McLeod) bent on stealing her power for his own. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026

From feathery clutches to frilly brooches, fashion week guests are using the playful texture to give their looks an unexpected pop. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 10 Sep. 2026

Smith, too, struggled to escape the clutches of a Burnley defence that saw Hjalmar Ekdal replace the tiring Igor midway through the second half. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Researchers have warned for years that rogue AI models could one day become powerful enough to escape the clutches of their human overlords. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 9 Sep. 2026

The clutches of eggs represent the highest-latitude nesting environment known for sauropods worldwide, the study said, and the southernmost definitive evidence of dinosaur eggs. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026

Melissa Albert, The Children This debut adult novel by long-time YA author Melissa Albert had me in its clutches from the first page. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

Accessories include structured metal clutches, zebra-print bags and sneakers, calfskin boots and pieces incorporating dragonfly hardware. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026

Those are responsible for starting the diesel engines, which can be divorced via a lever that engages and disengages the inboard steering clutches. — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Anna practically clutches her pearls when asked to help the homeless. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

For years, Guerin has held onto his veteran core like a grandmother clutches her third-generation pearls. — Michael Russo, New York Times, 2 July 2026

In the midst of handing the job over to his son, even as Diego is making a speech about water supplies, hygiene and education, Don Alejandro snatches it back to cheers, clutches his heart and dies. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

In it, Marilyn clutches the pillow toward her, revealing her disarming fragility. — Michael Soncin, Vanity Fair, 9 June 2026

Here, a guest clutches hers as the finishing touch to her breezy button-down, maxi skirt, and heeled flip-flops. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 3 June 2026

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