clench 1 of 2

noun

Definition of clenchnext
as in grip
the act or manner of holding fearful that his suitcase might be stolen, he never once relaxed his clench on the handle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

clench

2 of 2

verb

ˈklench How to pronounce clench (audio)
as in to grip
to have or keep in one's hands clenched a tissue in his hands as he told his story of misfortune

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 clench
Noun
Brazilian democracy has spent the past three years in a near-permanent state of tension – a full-body clench against an ex-president who refused to accept defeat. — Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 25 Nov. 2025 The Cleveland Guardians beat the Detroit Tigers, 5-4, on Thursday night in Game 4 of the ALDS, tying the series and setting up a clench-your-teeth, hold-your-breath series finale. — Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
The White House Key Facts A rendering of the passport shared by the White House on Friday shows Trump presumably leaning over the Resolute Desk, fists clenched, alongside his signature and text from the Declaration of Independence. — Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 Coley and the audience know this isn’t true, but Sonya’s clenched jaw and steely gaze don’t leave room for questions. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for clench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clench
  1. grip
  2. clutch
  3. grasp
  4. hold
  5. grab
Noun
  • What to read next To have any realistic chance of seeing the northern lights during the eclipse, Earth would need to be in the grip of a severe geomagnetic storm.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Invisasox are made with a revolutionary gel heel grip mesh design that keeps the sock on better than any other no show sock -- guaranteed to stay on.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of grip
Verb
  • Erblin Ademi clutched the photo of his father holding him as a little boy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The Godfather with a puppet-master’s hand clutching a control bar that looks, ominously, like a cross.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of clutch
Noun
  • Nearly every season-three conversation between them was an argument that allowed for the actors’ grasp on these characters to shine and underlined how their bond best reflects the series’ ideas on how power corrupts.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • After securing Swift in its grasp, LINK will carefully fire its three ion thrusters, aiming to boost the observatory back to its original orbit over the course of two to three months.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of grasp
Verb
  • In China, anyone who holds a position of authority is almost certainly a party member, and being kicked out of the party means the end of one’s political career.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Qatar’s armed forces captured and are holding three Iranian pilots who went missing in March when their jets were downed, the Missing Persons Committee of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of hold
Verb
  • Profanity also grabs attention since the shock value of an F-bomb can lead to more media coverage and clips circulating on social media.
    — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Alice slowly gets Marshall to lie on the floor, grabs the bottle of whiskey, and pours it into his mouth with glee.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of grab

Browse Nearby Words

clemently
clench
clenched
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Cite this Entry

“Clench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clench. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of clench for Spanish Speakers

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