fist

verb

Definition of fistnext
as in to grip

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fist
  1. grip
  2. clasp
  3. grasp
  4. clutch
  5. secure
  6. hold
  7. corner
  8. rend
Verb
  • The dramatic reappearance of the rusting wrecks has become one of the most striking visual reminders of both Europe’s wartime history and the severe drought currently gripping much of the continent.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026
  • But in recent months and years, a sense of hopelessness has increasingly gripped those still remaining on the island.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of grip
Verb
  • In 1975, as Cold War tensions thawed, an American commander and his Soviet counterpart clasped hands in space after their spacecraft docked.
    — Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026
  • Unlike Hernandez, all of his digits remained intact, clasped together on the table.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 22 July 2026
Definition of clasp
Verb
  • Many Marylanders would rather be enjoying the autumn season and adapting to new routines instead of grasping the full implications of an overtly partisan law.
    — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 5 Aug. 2026
  • This is where the irrationality of antisemitic conspiracy gains no purchase among a reasoning and pragmatic populace; where government is led by people who grasp, and embrace, the seriousness of their responsibilities.
    — Rory Lancman, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of grasp
Verb
  • Drivers can be kept in check, but iron accuracy, smart placement, and clutch putting on fast Bermuda greens are non-negotiables for surviving Sedgefield.
    — Geoff Clark OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • And undrafted guard Jaeden Roberts was carted off the field after going down and clutching his left leg during Saturday’s team drills.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of clutch
Verb
  • It may also be remembered as the moment volleyball secured its rightful place among America's premier spectator sports.
    — Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The Historical Center worked with the government of Papua New Guinea to secure all the permissions to legally recover parts of the plane, Fiandt said.
    — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of secure
Verb
  • Around Nu Stadium, fans held messages and signs of support for Messi as well.
    — Avi Creditor, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • For years, Modi, a balding man of small stature, has held an outsized presence in the imagination of the Indian public.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of hold
Verb
  • Winston did float a late interception to corner Art Green in the end zone, however, on his final pass.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Kamu tried to corner Jason, but Salina served it right back to him.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 29 July 2026
Definition of corner
Verb
  • The German priest’s criticisms of the Catholic Church sparked the Protestant Reformation, rending Christianity in two.
    — Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 30 June 2026
  • The excellent Julian Quinones’ early goal settled any nerves and then came the emotive, heart-rending second from talisman Raul Jimenez in the second half.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Definition of rend
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.

Browse Nearby Words

fissures
fist
fisted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fist. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on fist

Nglish: Translation of fist for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All