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
The video ends with Beer, eyes still filled with tears, clutching a locket in bed.
—
Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
In the photo, Manganiello is seen clutching a chihuahua as his fiancée shows off her engagement ring.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Oct. 2025
The edit suite looks like a dorm room, full of fanboy figurines like a life-size Funko Pop of Stranger Things’ protagonist Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown) that guards the front door in her blonde wig, clutching her favorite snack, Eggo waffles.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
One sensational anecdote currently making the rounds involves one of her sons waking up to see his mother clutching a knife in his doorway.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
In the clip, Miska is surrounded by blankets, clutching a plush toy, and resting peacefully as the swing rocks gently.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
The prisoner organization posted a video on social media of Bseis being reunited with his relatives, with one woman breaking down in tears and clutching a smiling Bseis' arm.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2025
No sense rehashing the substance of Collier’s broadside, although much of the subsequent pearl clutching was a bit precious in light of Bryce Harper’s midsummer activism.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The pearl-clutching folks over at the Motion Picture Guild never had a response to their film being used so brazenly, and that was true even as the footage was explicitly recontextualized for the opposite purpose it was intended.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2025
Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
In the photo, Manganiello is seen clutching a chihuahua as his fiancée shows off her engagement ring.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Oct. 2025
The edit suite looks like a dorm room, full of fanboy figurines like a life-size Funko Pop of Stranger Things’ protagonist Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown) that guards the front door in her blonde wig, clutching her favorite snack, Eggo waffles.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
One sensational anecdote currently making the rounds involves one of her sons waking up to see his mother clutching a knife in his doorway.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
In the clip, Miska is surrounded by blankets, clutching a plush toy, and resting peacefully as the swing rocks gently.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
The prisoner organization posted a video on social media of Bseis being reunited with his relatives, with one woman breaking down in tears and clutching a smiling Bseis' arm.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2025
No sense rehashing the substance of Collier’s broadside, although much of the subsequent pearl clutching was a bit precious in light of Bryce Harper’s midsummer activism.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 3 Oct. 2025
The pearl-clutching folks over at the Motion Picture Guild never had a response to their film being used so brazenly, and that was true even as the footage was explicitly recontextualized for the opposite purpose it was intended.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutching
Verb
-
Wole faced fixedly forward, both fists clenching the steering wheel.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This particular aspect of the show frays the gripping tone that had been so masterfully crafted from its opening scene.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
-
It’s measured by gripping a handheld dynamometer.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But when Ronnie set the theater's copy of The Music Man in motion on the projector, Matty appeared on screen holding what looked like a baby swaddled in a blanket.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
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In photos obtained by the outlet, the pair could be seen walking out of the theater while holding hands and smiling.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These are especially useful for taking public transport, grabbing a quick coffee, or leaving a small tip at a restaurant.—
Asia London Palomba,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Peterson led the way, scoring 26 points — 24 before halftime — and grabbing four rebounds.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clutching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutching. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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