1
as in cluster
a number of things considered as a unit
a clutch of medals adorned the general's chest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in batch
a usually small number of persons considered as a unit
a clutch of people traveling together
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in crisis
a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action
a football quarterback who always comes through in the clutch
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in power
the right or means to command or control others
a nation no longer living in the clutch of a cruel tyrant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to grip
to have or keep in one's hands
he clutched the eggs carefully so he wouldn't drop them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clutch
Anna Pulley, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
Five innings later, the Dodgers turned a free pass, a big hit from Smith, an errant throw by the Mets and Conforto’s clutch hit into a game-winning rally.
—Mike Digiovanna, Oc Register, 5 June 2025
Victoria Montalti, Refinery29, 22 May 2025
At the first dedication, a young mother stood on the threshold of her new home, clutching her baby and wiping away tears.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clutch
Noun
Gay bar trivia nights are clutch — nothing bonds people like collectively failing to remember who won Eurovision in 2019.
—Anna Pulley, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
Five innings later, the Dodgers turned a free pass, a big hit from Smith, an errant throw by the Mets and Conforto’s clutch hit into a game-winning rally.
—Mike Digiovanna, Oc Register, 5 June 2025
Verb
Keep it casual with an oversized tote and raffia sun hat (or maybe a coordinated crochet bucket), or dress it up with strappy heels and a statement clutch for dinner and drinks.
—Victoria Montalti, Refinery29, 22 May 2025
At the first dedication, a young mother stood on the threshold of her new home, clutching her baby and wiping away tears.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clutch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutch
Verb
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An arm with suction can grip a case or tote, pull it out, and ergonomically present it to a worker at an order selection station.—
Steve Banker,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
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One hand hovers above her swollen belly; the other grips the tripod leg of her large-format Deardorff.—
Max Norman,
New Yorker,
13 June 2025
Verb
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The Najaf player stretched out his arms, fists still clenched, and lifted his head to look into the captain’s eyes.—
Jason Anthony,
The Atlantic,
14 June 2025
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Its stern warnings are scary and uncomfortable--the headaches, indigestion, muscle spasms, body aches, clenched teeth or knots in your chest.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Toothless holds his own alongside Hiccup, even as the actor appears in what look more like sets than bona fide locations.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
9 June 2025
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A number of the protesters held high the flags of South American countries like Mexico as the U.S. flag burned on the ground.—
Anders Hagstrom,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clutch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutch. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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