clutching

verb

present participle of clutch
as in clenching
to have or keep in one's hands he clutched the eggs carefully so he wouldn't drop them

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Just picture wearing this manicure while clutching an Aperol spritz on a winding cobblestone street! — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 16 July 2026 Carney's grieving sister, Devon, wearing a Kerry GAA jersey and clutching a sunflower, was distraught as family members gathered around the hearse. — Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026 Alexander, who signed a two-way deal with Utah last week, made contact with the Bulls' Caleb Wilson while driving toward the basket and, after tossing the ball toward the hoop, went behind the basket clutching his side or abdomen. — ABC News, 14 July 2026 The post also included a snap of the rescuing officer clutching the cat — who appeared much calmer, caught on camera mid-yawn. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026 The small, seemingly insignificant experience of controlling an automobile by clutching and levering its gears turned out to be deeply meaningful. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026 The 29-year-old had been clutching at a spot near his right oblique and even doubled over, clearly struggling, after forcing deuce. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 5 July 2026 Certain photos of those rehearsal dinner attendees showed guests clutching black velvet boxes with an etching of two Ts and a heart. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026 People milled about clutching small rainbow flags from the human rights organization Outright International. — Hallie Golden, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutching
  1. clenching
  2. gripping
  3. holding
  4. grabbing
Verb
  • Janet held the phone away from her ear, clenching her teeth against Maggie’s booming voice.
    — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026
  • His workouts, jaw-clenching pull-ups and all, regularly appear on social media.
    — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026
Definition of clenching
Verb
  • And while Shakira drew big cheers, as did the appearance of Bieber, these paled in comparison to the cheers and oh’s and ah’s in the crowd throughout the gripping final.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 19 July 2026
  • The bad blood just increases from there and gets exceedingly personal as each magician tries to outdo the other in an electrifying, gripping duel that tears apart both their lives.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 July 2026
Definition of gripping
Verb
  • Trainees can practice their aim and stance, and holding and firing a handgun are naturally part of it.
    — Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 25 July 2026
  • The 30-minute video posted by Pfister of the Zimmerman’s Meat Market incident from earlier this year shows him, his wife, Pam, and another man holding their cameras to the deli’s front window, capturing what was visible inside.
    — Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of holding
Verb
  • Lester, in particular, saw enough growth from Brown and Hecklinski as Gronowski’s understudies to prefer their full-scale competition over grabbing an experienced quarterback but dialing down the offense.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • One of the Palestinians can be seen grabbing the strap of the weapon.
    — Abeer Salman, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Definition of grabbing

Browse Nearby Words

clutches
clutching
clutter
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Cite this Entry

“Clutching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutching. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of clutching for Spanish Speakers

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