1
as in clusters
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 groups
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 crises
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 powers
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 grips
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 clutches
James McNicholas, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Bradley is desperate to escape his keeper's clutches.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
The film centers on Westley (Cary Elwes), a farmhand who goes on a noble quest to rescue his beloved Buttercup (Robin Wright) from the clutches of the loathsome Prince Humperdink (Chris Sarandon), to whom she's unhappily betrothed.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026
Holly, on the other hand, wakes up in Vecna's clutches, surrounded by the 11 other kids from her class he's taken to the Upside Down.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
That’s how Brenner got Henry in his clutches, realizing that Henry had gone to Dimension X and returned with a unique blood type, a different personality and new powers.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 25 Dec. 2025
Traveling to India, a country that was similar to Nigeria, having also lived through the clutches of British colonial rule, and as well, home to a dynamic artistic and cultural history left a lasting mark on her.
—Folasade Ologundudu, Essence, 23 Dec. 2025
But hot enough nesting temperatures, in addition to leaving those females with almost no potential mates, could make entire clutches fail to hatch.
—Elizabeth Preston, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
Guests with no bags or clutches smaller than 4 inches by 6 inches can use Evolv express entry lanes for quickest entry.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 26 Nov. 2025
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
On the plane, Dick clutches the slingshot and begins sweating and muttering to himself before becoming unresponsive.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
The older woman clutches her top towel closer to her.
—Weike Wang, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
Conor O’Neill Brighton & Hove Albion Alex Jimenez Unfortunately, Bournemouth already have Brighton’s ideal signing in their clutches.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Bradley is desperate to escape his keeper's clutches.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
The film centers on Westley (Cary Elwes), a farmhand who goes on a noble quest to rescue his beloved Buttercup (Robin Wright) from the clutches of the loathsome Prince Humperdink (Chris Sarandon), to whom she's unhappily betrothed.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026
Holly, on the other hand, wakes up in Vecna's clutches, surrounded by the 11 other kids from her class he's taken to the Upside Down.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
That’s how Brenner got Henry in his clutches, realizing that Henry had gone to Dimension X and returned with a unique blood type, a different personality and new powers.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 25 Dec. 2025
Traveling to India, a country that was similar to Nigeria, having also lived through the clutches of British colonial rule, and as well, home to a dynamic artistic and cultural history left a lasting mark on her.
—Folasade Ologundudu, Essence, 23 Dec. 2025
But hot enough nesting temperatures, in addition to leaving those females with almost no potential mates, could make entire clutches fail to hatch.
—Elizabeth Preston, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
Guests with no bags or clutches smaller than 4 inches by 6 inches can use Evolv express entry lanes for quickest entry.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 26 Nov. 2025
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
On the plane, Dick clutches the slingshot and begins sweating and muttering to himself before becoming unresponsive.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
The older woman clutches her top towel closer to her.
—Weike Wang, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutches
Verb
-
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
-
When cold weather grips the South for days on end, the thought of a humid summer gets better and better.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 Jan. 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
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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
Verb
-
Malinin holds just more than a five-point lead over his biggest rival, Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, with scores from both the short program and free skate added together to determine a winner.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
-
According to chief customer officer Brie Carere, FedEx currently holds a 12 percent share in the $22 billion premium air freight market.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Soon thereafter, a gear fishing pal of yours gifted you an old, unused fly rod, and that totally grabs a hold of you and completely directs the rest of your life.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The man grabs her and also takes her cell phone.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clutches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutches. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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