as in control
the right or means to command or control others
the cult leader had such a death grip on his followers that all orders were carried out without the slightest objection
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of death grip
The stagnant offense of his death grip dragged its way into a final-drive game, eerily similar to when Florida faced USF weeks ago, kicking off this saga.
—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
As in give it up, let go, release the death grip.
—
Neil Senturia,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
Across genres and styles, new books must maintain a death grip on the reader’s attention, fearful of losing it to the many readily accessible distractions lying at most one foot from the book itself.
—
Robert Rubsam,
Vulture,
18 Sep. 2025
After further assessment and some discussion, the team focused on the quad, which evidently had a death grip on Tichyque’s femur.
—
Literary Hub,
7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for death grip
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
As in give it up, let go, release the death grip.
—
Neil Senturia,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
Across genres and styles, new books must maintain a death grip on the reader’s attention, fearful of losing it to the many readily accessible distractions lying at most one foot from the book itself.
—
Robert Rubsam,
Vulture,
18 Sep. 2025
After further assessment and some discussion, the team focused on the quad, which evidently had a death grip on Tichyque’s femur.
—
Literary Hub,
7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for death grip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for death grip
Noun
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Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control.
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With Australia closing in on a winner in regulation with its young attack, Egypt settled in over the final 20 minutes or so to regain control of possession and find the more consistent threats on goal.
Noun
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Junior Caminero has already done some things no Rays players had ever accomplished, such as extending his sizzling power show on Friday to include hitting 10 home runs over a 10-game span.
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Plus, the power port includes three electrical outlets and three USB ports for powering appliances, speakers, and other devices.
Noun
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The show represents a milestone in American TV, when showrunners like Shonda Rhimes began to become famous names in and of themselves, and create whole dominions of TV shows on networks and streaming services.
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Freeman had accomplished more than protecting her daughter from Hannah Ashley’s blow and, with perseverance, succeeded in getting herself and Lizzie out from under the Ashleys’ dominion.
Noun
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In a real world sense of course that can’t possibly be true, but the world view of the Puritan religious leaders who founded the Connecticut River Colony in the 1630s still held sway in the late 18th century.
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Roberta Smith, the co-chief art critic of the New York Times, and Jerry Saltz, the art critic of New York magazine, are writers of sway, elegance, legend.
Noun
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The last time Harry and Meghan were in the United Kingdom together was in September 2022 for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, which marked the end of the monarch's 70-year reign.
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The winner of the tournament will begin her first reign as Knockouts TV champion.
Cite this Entry
“Death grip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/death%20grip. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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