clutching

present participle of clutch

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of clutching Dart was clutching at his knee after getting sandwiched between two Rams defenders that beat the Giants’ tackles off the edge, and while airborne, video replay showed his leg shift in an awkward way. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026 Worse, following behind him was his wife, clutching their infant son, dragging along their young daughter. — Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026 One featured K-pop star Karina clutching a pair of the brand’s classic high-top black sneakers by her side and wearing a white skirt, with a star spotlight in center frame. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026 Whether these ads were meant to imply that clutching and shifting was too physical for women, too unladylike, or just too complex for the little dears is not clear. — Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026 Roma took one last lights-and-sirens ride with Keith that day, clutching his son’s red helmet, now soiled by debris. — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026 As the deli’s surveillance video rolled, his client went from calmly standing at the counter with a bottle of Gatorade to staggering to the floor, clutching his leg and tearing at his pants. — Alison J. Stein, HubSpot, 1 Sep. 2026 In a satiric short video, Rabid Dogs, 2002, for example, white-collar workers dress upas rapacious canines, clutching Burberry bags in their mouths and traversing cubicles on all fours. — Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 Many shuffled between the help desk and the hospital notice board, clutching photographs and scanning injured patients' lists in the hope of finding them. — Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutching
Verb
  • Years ago, after Jake died, my instinct as a medical student was anger — clenching my teeth and jabbing a pen into my notepad, making a line of inky holes along the margin.
    — Caroline Cherston, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Janet held the phone away from her ear, clenching her teeth against Maggie’s booming voice.
    — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • Each chapter of her life delivers gripping scenes with twists and turns, accomplishments and setbacks.
    — Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The context of the record, about the ghosts left in the wake of American sins, is gripping enough, but Williams’ voice cut through with staggering precision.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Some Utah Valley officials expressed reservations about holding the event in an outdoor space with tall buildings around, but ultimately allowed the event to proceed.
    — MICHAEL R. SISAK, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Some university officials expressed reservations about holding the event in an outdoor space with tall buildings around, but ultimately allowed the event to proceed.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Michael the Lawyer and Ben the Barrel Racer go into the third crypt (Alan calls them gay Lara Crofts) and have the option of grabbing $15,000 in gold or $5,000 and a clue about the Traitors.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Smith’s own reflection points to why the day-to-day matters more than any headline-grabbing cleanse.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Clutching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutching. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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