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
Alma clutched her arm and didn’t let go—a death grip.
—
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
The snow and the low temperatures put Florida’s citrus and vegetable industry in a death grip.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
Its strategy relied on maintaining a death grip on existing customers.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024
Smash the party’s death grip on the court and vote for Wendy Li.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 25 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for death grip
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
The snow and the low temperatures put Florida’s citrus and vegetable industry in a death grip.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
Its strategy relied on maintaining a death grip on existing customers.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024
Smash the party’s death grip on the court and vote for Wendy Li.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 25 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for death grip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for death grip
Noun
-
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
-
Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
While the Marines are expected to avoid direct engagement with demonstrators, the symbolism of active-duty troops patrolling the streets of Los Angeles has reignited deep political tensions and legal debates over the limits of federal power.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
11 June 2025
-
Money becomes power, and without clinical oversight, that power enables harmful behaviors.—
John Samuels,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Noun
-
It’s set in an empty warehouse loft, with light shooting through propeller fans (very Adrian Lyne), and with Miley, in her primal assertion of feminine dominion, joined by Naomi Campbell, the two of them obliterating the need for anyone else.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
7 June 2025
-
Her Miami appearance echoed many familiar themes, preaching about God’s dominion and transforming American values and culture.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Koo Min Gyo, a professor at Seoul National University’s Graduate School of Public Administration, expects Mr. Lee to use his party’s sway over the different branches of government to extend his power, while diminishing and stifling his critics.—
Ann Scott Tyson,
Christian Science Monitor,
4 June 2025
-
Yet all along, the defense establishment plan competed with a different vision promoted by radical right-wing parties that hold sway in the government.—
Assaf Orion,
Foreign Affairs,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
Photo: Getty Images Trooping the Colour is a practice that dates back to the reign of King George III in the mid-18th century.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
14 June 2025
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After three months, Alex Warren’s reign atop the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart has come to an end as Sabrina Carpenter ousts him from the No. 1 spot (June 13).—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Death grip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/death%20grip. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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