as in clenching
to close or secure (something, such as a door) with a latch
latch the gate
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Recent Examples of latching
According to the commission, standards include general requirements such as corner posts, protective components, openings, latching and locking mechanisms, as well as performance requirements like height of sides, mesh requirements and mattress vertical displacement.
—
Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025
So before latching onto the latest diet fad, take a deep breath and head outside instead.
—CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
This sent Teddy down a rabbit hole of Internet conspiracy theories that ultimately led to him latching onto the idea that Michelle is an alien-in-disguise from the Andromeda galaxy who was sent to Earth as part of a plot to wipe out humanity.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
A lot of people in his position might have let persona take over when the audience is sort of latching onto that image.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
At one point, Terrill, who was wearing long acrylic fingernails, hooked her finger on one cuff to prevent the Agents from latching the second cuff onto her wrist.
—Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
The following Sunday, Fulham’s Emile Smith Rowe equalised by latching onto a cross.
—Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Online videos and orientation make the process easy to learn, and the team is there to guide the way through situations such as when the kitten is not latching or going to the bathroom.
—Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Common issues include challenges with the baby latching onto your nipple, sore nipples, low milk supply, thrush, plugged milk ducts, inflammation of the breast (mastitis), and inverted nipples.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 27 Aug. 2025
Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025
So before latching onto the latest diet fad, take a deep breath and head outside instead.
—CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
This sent Teddy down a rabbit hole of Internet conspiracy theories that ultimately led to him latching onto the idea that Michelle is an alien-in-disguise from the Andromeda galaxy who was sent to Earth as part of a plot to wipe out humanity.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 31 Oct. 2025
A lot of people in his position might have let persona take over when the audience is sort of latching onto that image.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
At one point, Terrill, who was wearing long acrylic fingernails, hooked her finger on one cuff to prevent the Agents from latching the second cuff onto her wrist.
—Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
The following Sunday, Fulham’s Emile Smith Rowe equalised by latching onto a cross.
—Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Online videos and orientation make the process easy to learn, and the team is there to guide the way through situations such as when the kitten is not latching or going to the bathroom.
—Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Common issues include challenges with the baby latching onto your nipple, sore nipples, low milk supply, thrush, plugged milk ducts, inflammation of the breast (mastitis), and inverted nipples.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for latching
Verb
-
Melvin Council stood amid a crowd of his Kansas teammates, clenching a black belt in his fist.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Wole faced fixedly forward, both fists clenching the steering wheel.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Martinko recommends hanging a paper calendar on your wall, switching to a paper planner, and writing out grocery lists and meal plans in lieu of turning to your digital device.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
8 Feb. 2026
-
But the bigger concern hanging over the industry is the rise of prediction markets like Kalshi, which have come out of nowhere over the last year to offer a new way to bet on sports, bypassing the state-level gambling regulations that have restricted the spread of older gambling apps.—
Peyton Forte,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Duah’s game-tying goal revved up the crowd and began a four-goal surge against Pumas UNAM of Mexico City.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Guard Luke Kennard, in just his third game with the team, scored 14 points in 28 minutes, tying Timme for the team lead.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Manuel Alarcon, her father, was seated in the crowd, clasping his hands in rapt attention.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
To keep the jewelry clean, Glasser covered them in bubblegum wrappers, removing them before clasping the dress in place.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But Wilson attempted a slant pass to Ricardo Lockett, and Patriots rookie Malcom Butler jumped in front of it for the pick, clinching the game for New England.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Both parties have similar doubts about clinching any bipartisan accord on immigration enforcement.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Analysts can now spend time on important work like diagnosing complex issues or improving processes, not copy-pasting tickets.—
Muddu Sudhakar,
Fortune,
18 Dec. 2025
-
Continue cutting and pasting napkin pieces until your ornament is fully covered.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The clamping system is currently being prepared for patenting, with a view to adoption in future fusion power-plant designs beyond the STEP program.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Mears, 42, recalled that Dennis lunged forward to attack Ralphie, but ended up clamping onto her leg instead.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Although the legislation impacts renters and landlords across the city, the proposal was introduced after residents of the Serra Grove apartment complex complained their new landlord was bending substantial renovation rules to clear out longtime renters and re-list units at double the price.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
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Harvesting plants grown on trellises requires less bending and stretching and can be easier on your back.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Latching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/latching. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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