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 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 The hosts discuss Sorsby as a product of both his own mistakes and opportunistic pearl clutching among college sports leaders. — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 25 June 2026 Scotland’s Tartan Army, thousands strong in kilts and clutching replicas of the gold World Cup Trophy, marched into Miami ahead of Wednesday evening’s World Cup game against Brazil at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. — Howard Cohen june 24, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026 That sort of attention to detail is what separates a Universal or Disney coaster from so much of the industry — even if riders will be clutching their restraints too hard to notice the discrepancies in each car’s engine roar. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026 The video shows the motionless suspect in a gray hoodie lying facedown on a chair or sofa while still clutching the knife. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 23 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutching
  1. clenching
  2. gripping
  3. holding
  4. grabbing
Verb
  • While not everyone experiences such dramatic effects, experts say stress, clenching and even past trauma can contribute to TMJ issues.
    — Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 22 May 2026
  • The Beloved, his first film in Competition at Cannes, is an incredible achievement that builds on all those films and leaves them standing in the dust, hitting all the same tense throat-clenching beats but somehow transcending genre altogether.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 May 2026
Definition of clenching
Verb
  • The body politic wages war against itself in Shakespeare’s tragedy, and the all-out battle makes for a gripping spectacle in Griffith Park.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Flipping through a binder in one hand and gripping her laptop in the other, Washington simultaneously got down to business for leg day.
    — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
Definition of gripping
Verb
  • Its lawns, mature trees and lake-facing vistas feel deliberately composed, holding attention on the landscape before releasing it outward to the water.
    — Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • The farm is also holding a Fairy Festival on July 18 and 19 featuring scavenger hunts, fairy stories and other activities in addition to the usual hayrides, petting farm and pony rides.
    — Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2026
Definition of holding
Verb
  • College students would drive—or bike—across the city to shop there before grabbing a snack—perhaps a nutritious multigrain muffin?
    — Roseann Cattani, USA Today, 10 July 2026
  • McKay is accused of grabbing the boy by his ankles, pinning him on the ground and then holding him down by the ankles on the seat portion of a chair.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 9 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 11 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on clutching

Nglish: Translation of clutching for Spanish Speakers

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