as in clenching
to have or keep in one's hands
he clutched the eggs carefully so he wouldn't drop them
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Recent Examples of clutching
Harry clutching a red-hot doorknob, Marv taking a paint can to the face — right up to the gruesome sound effect, then had the music stand down for the sizzling or thwacking payoff.
—
Tim Greiving, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Some are fantastical – think Shrimp Jesus – and some are believable at a quick glance – remember the little girl clutching a puppy in a boat during a flood?
—Adam Nemeroff, The Conversation, 2 Sep. 2025
Majchrzak took off his cap and appeared to pass it to the boy who was clutching a giant tennis ball with both hands.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
After Carpenter debuted the cover for her seventh studio album in June, some critiqued the image, which depicts the singer on her knees in a black dress as a man stands out-of-shot, clutching onto her hair.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Others went for humor, featuring Dunkin’ Donuts collages, velociraptors clutching coffees and lobsters taking the spotlight.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The reverse features a landing eagle clutching an oak branch seemingly bound for a nest, the same image featured since 2021.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2025
Tim Iroegbunam was booked for his foul on Ampadu, which left him clutching his knee on the turf during Monday’s second half against Everton.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Bonner was seen clutching at the back of his right leg at the end of a play to the sideline at Ford Field.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Tim Greiving, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Some are fantastical – think Shrimp Jesus – and some are believable at a quick glance – remember the little girl clutching a puppy in a boat during a flood?
—Adam Nemeroff, The Conversation, 2 Sep. 2025
Majchrzak took off his cap and appeared to pass it to the boy who was clutching a giant tennis ball with both hands.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
After Carpenter debuted the cover for her seventh studio album in June, some critiqued the image, which depicts the singer on her knees in a black dress as a man stands out-of-shot, clutching onto her hair.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Others went for humor, featuring Dunkin’ Donuts collages, velociraptors clutching coffees and lobsters taking the spotlight.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The reverse features a landing eagle clutching an oak branch seemingly bound for a nest, the same image featured since 2021.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2025
Tim Iroegbunam was booked for his foul on Ampadu, which left him clutching his knee on the turf during Monday’s second half against Everton.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Bonner was seen clutching at the back of his right leg at the end of a play to the sideline at Ford Field.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutching
Verb
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More Yankees/Getty Images Manager John Schneider confirmed that the Yankees had picked up on a tell when Scherzer was gripping his changeup with runners on base.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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The Marswalker has rugged wheels in each corner for gripping the steps, as well as a long antenna to sense angles and heights.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For every person holding the statue, there are four or five who came close and didn’t.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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The extra point was good but there was a holding penalty on the Rebels.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After grabbing an early lead Friday evening, the Royals were unable to match their hosts’ prolific offense on Friday.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 Sep. 2025
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The owner squeezed her hands into the mix of kittens, moving the babies and grabbing the one that did not belong, which turned out to be a tiny mouse.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clutching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutching. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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