as in clutched
to have or keep in one's hands
clenched a tissue in his hands as he told his story of misfortune
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Recent Examples of clenched
Among many Niger Deltans, there’s a mixture of ignorance, nonchalance, and clenched resignation around the industry’s environmental dangers, which take a back seat as folks get on with the business of everyday survival.
—
Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
After Barrett finished the sequence with a dunk on the other end, Barnes turned back to his bench, clenched his fists and screamed.
—Eric Koreen, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026
The Chinese speedskater leaped into the air, fists clenched, joy bursting from every pore.
—Rick Maese, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2026
My stomach clenched with worry.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Don’t leave home without a rose clenched between your teeth.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
As Rathbun and other officers retreated, Webster clenched both fists, crouched into a linebacker’s stance, and charged into Rathbun, knocking him to the ground.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
My muscles, head, neck and back were clenched.
—William D. Brown, Outdoor Life, 13 Nov. 2025
To estimate 10 degrees in the sky, use the width of your clenched first held at arm's length.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Noo Saro-Wiwa, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
After Barrett finished the sequence with a dunk on the other end, Barnes turned back to his bench, clenched his fists and screamed.
—Eric Koreen, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026
The Chinese speedskater leaped into the air, fists clenched, joy bursting from every pore.
—Rick Maese, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2026
My stomach clenched with worry.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Don’t leave home without a rose clenched between your teeth.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
As Rathbun and other officers retreated, Webster clenched both fists, crouched into a linebacker’s stance, and charged into Rathbun, knocking him to the ground.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
My muscles, head, neck and back were clenched.
—William D. Brown, Outdoor Life, 13 Nov. 2025
To estimate 10 degrees in the sky, use the width of your clenched first held at arm's length.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clenched
Verb
-
One woman clutched her young, smiling child with a look of pure horror on her face.—
Megan Armstrong,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Others brought flowers, clutched to their chests.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This product comes with a lifetime warranty and the handle is easily gripped.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
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That's paltry for the region this time of year, echoing the broader trend of a snow drought that has gripped the rest of Arizona and much of the Western United States.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.—
Daniel S. Levine,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clenched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clenched. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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