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
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
The Americans didn’t exactly have to pop the clutch to get started Saturday, with Alex Carpenter scoring her second first-period power-play goal in as many games to get the rout started.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
David Delgado, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
After Vonn lost control and ended up in the safety nets, she was attended to by medical staff and appeared to be clutching her left knee.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clutch
Noun
Among Goldman’s heavy-on-the-fondant portfolio is a Tory Burch bag replica, a Nike Air Jordan shoe next to a faux basketball, Converse’s Chuck Taylor All Star stepper, Jimmy Choo pumps accompanied by a shiny, gold clutch, and more.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
The Americans didn’t exactly have to pop the clutch to get started Saturday, with Alex Carpenter scoring her second first-period power-play goal in as many games to get the rout started.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
Belote scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds while Steinert finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds, including clutch back-to-back jumpers in the fourth quarter that helped hold Western at bay.
—David Delgado, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
After Vonn lost control and ended up in the safety nets, she was attended to by medical staff and appeared to be clutching her left knee.
—Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clutch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutch
Verb
-
In a video that went viral on social media, the girl appeared to grip the chairlift in a desperate struggle as her feet flailed in the air, still strapped to her snowboard.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The community held a candlelight vigil to pray for Nancy Guthrie's safe return as the baffling case grips the nation.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
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
-
My stomach clenched with worry.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The visit by Ali Larijani, a former Iranian parliament speaker who now serves as the secretary to the country's Supreme National Security Council, likely focused on what comes next after the initial round of indirect talks held last week in Muscat with the Americans.—
JON GAMBRELL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
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The Financial Times, citing Ukrainian and European officials involved in the planning, reported on Wednesday that both a presidential vote, in which Zelenskyy would seek re-election, and a nationwide referendum could be held by May 15.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clutch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutch. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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