clam up

verb

Definition of clam upnext
as in to hush
to stop talking the little girl clammed up when the doctor came into the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of clam up Everyone in the theater clammed up, as if embarrassed to have endorsed Max with laughter. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026 Your language model would clam up from time to time to conserve its resources. — Amanda Gefter, Quanta Magazine, 10 Apr. 2026 Less sweat-trapping than many synthetic jackets, the Oreus kept me from clamming up while ski-touring in five-degree temps and dissipated sweat quickly when worn after strenuous climbs. — Kelly Bastone, Outside, 10 Feb. 2026 But when co-host Maria McErlane looked for details, Norton clammed up. — Joseph Wilkinson, Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clam up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clam up
  1. hush
  2. dry up
  3. shut up
Verb
  • The impact is lavish yet hushed; welcoming yet sharply articulated.
    — Genevieve Walker, Architectural Digest, 2 Aug. 2026
  • But within the cozy world of footballing governance, any dissent was mostly hushed—except in Norway.
    — Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, 17 July 2026
Definition of hush
Verb
  • Animation work, especially in Los Angeles, has been drying up due to job cuts and the growing threat of AI.
    — Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • In the end, Cameroon’s experience won out as Malawi’s debut magic dried up one game too soon.
    — Emily Olsen, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of dry up
Verb
  • Ferragosto on August 15 is when all Italians down tools, shut up shop, and head for the coast.
    — Catherine Fairweather, Air Mail, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Layoffs in the gaming industry have seen almost 60,000 roles cut worldwide since 2022; multiple studios and publishers have shut up shop for good.
    — David Prosser, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of shut up

Browse Nearby Words

clams up
clam up
clan
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clam up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clam%20up. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on clam up

Nglish: Translation of clam up for Spanish Speakers

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