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
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
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Recent Examples of clench
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
Danielle Allentuck,
Washington Post,
16 June 2026
An accompanying photograph shows Glimcher holding the viewer’s gaze, his right hand outstretched on the desk, clenched in a tight fist.
—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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
As the ball landed safely on the other side of the left field fence at Nationals Park on Monday, Dylan Crews clenched his fists and let out a scream.
—
Danielle Allentuck,
Washington Post,
16 June 2026
An accompanying photograph shows Glimcher holding the viewer’s gaze, his right hand outstretched on the desk, clenched in a tight fist.
—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for clench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clench
Noun
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In recent days, after Museveni was sworn in for a seventh consecutive term, Kainerugaba has strengthened his grip with a series of directives and orders usually reserved for the head of state.
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Adidas Virginia Watermoc is a slip-on shoe with all the appearances of grip and water dispersion.
Verb
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England were on the cusp of one of the biggest World Cup upsets in recent memory — until the heart and soul of the program came up more than clutch.
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In the midst of handing the job over to his son, even as Diego is making a speech about water supplies, hygiene and education, Don Alejandro snatches it back to cheers, clutches his heart and dies.
Noun
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As a result, those at the entry level are expected to have a more mature grasp of these skills, according to PwC’s latest AI jobs report, which looked at more than a billion job ads across the globe.
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With a goal in the 92nd minute of this match, and only roughly three minutes left in stoppage time, Canada can feel the round of 16 within its grasp.
Verb
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The next step in the process involves the city drafting a redevelopment plan outlining development standards before holding public hearings and seeking additional approvals.
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The handoff that seems minor may decide whether the whole plan holds.
Verb
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Video of the incident showed the professor grabbing and twisting the arm of the pro-Palestinian student.
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As police tried to handcuff Sever, the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office said Sever swung at troopers and forcefully grabbed at a trooper's duty weapon, which was secured in a holster.
Cite this Entry
“Clench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clench. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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