as in grips
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 clutches
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
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Recent Examples of clenches
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2026
As the infection takes hold, a patient’s jaw clenches, forcing the face into what appears to be a wide smile, and the back muscles contort into a painful arch.
—Mustafa Fattah, NBC news, 24 Dec. 2025
When the sky darkens, her stomach clenches.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
In a similar way, a man who is defiant stiffens his neck, squares his shoulders, lowers his brows, and clenches his fists with his knuckles forward.
—Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
Zonal reinforcements fend off unfriendly rocks, stumps and features, and a Vibram Megagrip sole clenches all kinds of slippery, unbalanced raw ground.
—New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025
As Solène leaves, Rainbeau clenches her fists, talking herself out of hitting Solène and remembering the way disputes got resolved in her family.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
As the comedy progresses, its buoyant tone clenches and darkens, and the plot bends and lurches, in ways that, to me, felt unnecessarily punitive toward both Haru and the audience.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2026
As the infection takes hold, a patient’s jaw clenches, forcing the face into what appears to be a wide smile, and the back muscles contort into a painful arch.
—Mustafa Fattah, NBC news, 24 Dec. 2025
When the sky darkens, her stomach clenches.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
In a similar way, a man who is defiant stiffens his neck, squares his shoulders, lowers his brows, and clenches his fists with his knuckles forward.
—Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
Zonal reinforcements fend off unfriendly rocks, stumps and features, and a Vibram Megagrip sole clenches all kinds of slippery, unbalanced raw ground.
—New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025
As Solène leaves, Rainbeau clenches her fists, talking herself out of hitting Solène and remembering the way disputes got resolved in her family.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clenches
Noun
-
The states with the highest rates have utility rate commissions that do not seem to be able to come to grips with how to charge the data center operators.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The industry still cannot come to grips with the previously unfathomable scenario of the strait staying shuttered for a prolonged period of time.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Martin Short clutches his laptop walking onto set for Jimmy Kimmel Live!—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Mispelys Salazar clutches a stack of papers close to her chest as bristling wind gusts threaten to send them flying into the air.—
Catherine E. Shoichet,
CNN Money,
1 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Through universal intelligent manipulation, the robot autonomously plans grasps, adjusts force in real time, and navigates obstacles using seamless hand–eye coordination.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The Hurricanes needed that to happen after the game nearly slipped out of their grasps.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Congress holds first hearing in 50 years on UFOs following reports of unexplained aerial phenomena by the military.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Cost-efficient energy and chemical production Researchers revealed that solar-power photocatalysis – turning sunlight into energy – holds promise for sustainable and cost-efficient energy and chemical production.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The waterproof nylon exterior includes slash-resistant lining and straps, locking clasps to secure valuables, and RFID-blocking technology to help ward off pickpockets.—
Kayla Kitts,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Feb. 2026
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Montalvo also tests clasps and hinges.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Tomislav Ivišić grabs a rebound against Houston in last weekend's Sweet 16.—
Greg Rosenstein,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
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After lowering the helicopter to the water's surface, a flight crew member grabs the dog and hauls the pet aboard.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clenches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clenches. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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