clench 1 of 2

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

clench

2 of 2

verb

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
Verb
Yoon was seen on Saturday waving his hand, clenching his fists and bowing to his supporters who were shouting his name and waving South Korean and U.S. national flags. Landon Mion, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025 When the ball found the bottom of the cup at 18, Aberg clenched his fist, punched the air, hugged his caddie and smiled. Kirk Kenney, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2025 Emery clenched his fists and pointed in the different directions Diego Carlos could have passed. Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024 Moments after an emphatic two-handed jam in the closing seconds that sealed Sherman Oaks Notre Dame’s 68-61 upset of Harvard-Westlake on Friday night in Studio City, Tyran Stokes clenched both fists, turned toward his teammates and screamed at the top of his lungs. Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clench
Noun
  • Now, companies are betting that machines can tackle a wider range of tasks by mimicking the ways that people walk, bend, twist, reach, grip and generally get things done.
    Cade Metz, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Speaking of the ocean, this formula blends deep sea plant extracts with rice bran for antioxidant properties, with polymers and mineral powders for grip and makeup’s overall staying power.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In Dyersburg, Tennessee, dozens of people arrived over the weekend at a storm shelter near a public school clutching blankets, pillows and other necessities.
    CBS News, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The video, now viewed more than 7.6 million times and liked over 447,000 times, opens with Pritchard disembarking the treadmill with the help of his friends, and walking stiffly while clutching his chest.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • That means inflation at the least, and most people have a recent grasp on what that means to their cost of living.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Even with a gaping net facing him, Ovechkin would very often put pucks as far out of reach from a goalie’s potential grasp.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The judge’s opinion would identify the grounds for an acquittal or for holding the defendants’ liable.
    Andrea Tinianow, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The same cat may appear in two other drawings held by the British Museum.
    Daniel Cassady for ARTnews, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In the footage, Combs, wearing a robe, is seen kicking Ventura, grabbing her by the hair and throwing her to the ground before grabbing her suitcase and handbag.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Roberts grabbed eight boards vs. Gonzaga in the round of 32, 12 vs. Purdue in the Sweet 16 and 12 more vs. Duke in the Final Four.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clench. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on clench

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!