as in control
the right or means to command or control others
the cult leader had such a death grip on his followers that all orders were carried out without the slightest objection
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Recent Examples of death grip
Detachment creates attachment The death grip on your goals is what's killing them.
—
Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Next, scientists will need to examine Cretaceous leaves for evidence of death grips to see if the prehistoric fungi had evolved to manipulate insects’ behavior during this time, says Jarzembowski in the statement.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025
After further assessment and some discussion, the team focused on the quad, which evidently had a death grip on Tichyque’s femur.
—Literary Hub, 7 May 2025
Alma clutched her arm and didn’t let go—a death grip.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for death grip
Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Next, scientists will need to examine Cretaceous leaves for evidence of death grips to see if the prehistoric fungi had evolved to manipulate insects’ behavior during this time, says Jarzembowski in the statement.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025
After further assessment and some discussion, the team focused on the quad, which evidently had a death grip on Tichyque’s femur.
—Literary Hub, 7 May 2025
Alma clutched her arm and didn’t let go—a death grip.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for death grip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for death grip
Noun
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Affordability is a top issue this midterm cycle as the GOP is defending its control of the House and Senate.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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The Jayhawks started this game on a 9-0 run, but TCU quickly caught up and took control, particularly with KU’s Bidunga in foul trouble.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The star power between the United States and Dominican Republic arguably rivaled any matchup seen on a baseball diamond before.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
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Some runways really have that brain chemistry-altering power, and the spectacle that Marc Jacobs created for the Louis Vuitton fall 2012 show is one such example.—
Rosie Jarman,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Many key figures were associated with a movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation, which aims to establish Christian dominion over American society and government.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
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Sometimes shrubs look bare and unattractive after living under the dominion of other plants, but many can be rehabbed by severe pruning.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The reason why Iran has such sway over fossil fuels has to do with a quirk of geology.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
12 Mar. 2026
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Our cultural knowledge gave us sway and access.—
Anna Holmes,
The Atlantic,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Orlando City interim head coach Martin Perelman’s reign kicked off on Saturday night with a 2-1 victory over CF Montreal at Inter&Co Stadium.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2026
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The Sears Tower’s 23-year reign as the world’s tallest building apparently came to an end.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Death grip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/death%20grip. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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