as in clenching
to have or keep in one's hands
he clutched the eggs carefully so he wouldn't drop them
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Recent Examples of clutching
Despite getting the and-one call, Stewart fell to the court, clutching at her knee.
—
Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Investing In Lifetime Relevance The winners in tomorrow’s economy won’t be those clutching diplomas from 20 years ago.
—Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
In another Instagram post on her account on July 6, Kylie could be seen clutching a White Birkin Faubourg House Alligator Bag, which can fetch anywhere from $200,000 to $300,000, according to Sotheby's.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Several dozen students gathered under half-staff flags — some crying quietly, others clutching flowers.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Advertisement Day, still clutching the skull, urges her to connect with it.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Goodness, that was difficult to type with one hand clutching our pearls.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 12 Sep. 2025
Harry clutching a red-hot doorknob, Marv taking a paint can to the face — right up to the gruesome sound effect, then had the music stand down for the sizzling or thwacking payoff.
—Tim Greiving, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Some are fantastical – think Shrimp Jesus – and some are believable at a quick glance – remember the little girl clutching a puppy in a boat during a flood?
—Adam Nemeroff, The Conversation, 2 Sep. 2025
Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Investing In Lifetime Relevance The winners in tomorrow’s economy won’t be those clutching diplomas from 20 years ago.
—Joseph Coughlin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
In another Instagram post on her account on July 6, Kylie could be seen clutching a White Birkin Faubourg House Alligator Bag, which can fetch anywhere from $200,000 to $300,000, according to Sotheby's.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Several dozen students gathered under half-staff flags — some crying quietly, others clutching flowers.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Advertisement Day, still clutching the skull, urges her to connect with it.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Goodness, that was difficult to type with one hand clutching our pearls.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 12 Sep. 2025
Harry clutching a red-hot doorknob, Marv taking a paint can to the face — right up to the gruesome sound effect, then had the music stand down for the sizzling or thwacking payoff.
—Tim Greiving, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Some are fantastical – think Shrimp Jesus – and some are believable at a quick glance – remember the little girl clutching a puppy in a boat during a flood?
—Adam Nemeroff, The Conversation, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutching
Verb
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His assassination comes amid fears of increasing political violence in the United States and highlights divisions gripping the country.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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Ledford is a songwriter to watch, spinning urgent, gripping tales of life’s ups and downs in the midst of a wildly colorful and psychedelic musical universe.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For every person holding the statue, there are four or five who came close and didn’t.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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The extra point was good but there was a holding penalty on the Rebels.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After grabbing an early lead Friday evening, the Royals were unable to match their hosts’ prolific offense on Friday.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 Sep. 2025
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The owner squeezed her hands into the mix of kittens, moving the babies and grabbing the one that did not belong, which turned out to be a tiny mouse.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clutching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutching. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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