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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The project also required coordinated operation between the large heat pump and the mechanical vapor recompression unit across all operating phases, with system integration and process control designed to ensure stable and efficient performance under varying production conditions.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
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According to analysts, China is walking a fine line between encouraging domestic development of AI models and maintaining strict controls on how those models are used.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Stem cell skincare products set out to harness the innate power of stem cells, which are naturally found in skin, to slow signs of aging.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
23 Feb. 2026
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Then came an almighty, barely believable surge spearheaded by Ngumoha, and if the VAR intervention was the slice of good fortune Forest needed, what happened next summed up everything about the power of those towards the top.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The driver is dominion, not religion.—
Josef Joffe,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2026
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Cosmological queries were the dominion of philosophers, says Jenann Ismael—herself a philosopher of physics at Johns Hopkins University.—
Sarah Scoles,
Scientific American,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And there’s working with people who are not exactly palatable, but who have significant sway in the region—like Dan Gertler, a billionaire Israeli businessman whose name has long been a byword for shady deals in Congo.—
Nicolas Niarchos,
Vanity Fair,
20 Feb. 2026
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Holding sway upstairs are four bedrooms, including a luxe primary suite with a fireplace, balcony, and dual walk-in closets and baths.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Frank repeatedly praised their resilience and ability to respond to setbacks during his reign, but that mainly happened in away matches.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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He was succeeded by his daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, and after her 70-year reign by her son, King Charles III.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Death grip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/death%20grip. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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