clenches 1 of 2

noun

plural of clench
as in grips
the act or manner of holding fearful that his suitcase might be stolen, he never once relaxed his clench on the handle

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clenches

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of clench
as in clutches
to have or keep in one's hands clenched a tissue in his hands as he told his story of misfortune

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of clenches
Verb
When the sky darkens, her stomach clenches. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025 In a similar way, a man who is defiant stiffens his neck, squares his shoulders, lowers his brows, and clenches his fists with his knuckles forward. — Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025 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 As Solène leaves, Rainbeau clenches her fists, talking herself out of hitting Solène and remembering the way disputes got resolved in her family. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025 Zonal reinforcements fend off unfriendly rocks, stumps and features, and a Vibram Megagrip sole clenches all kinds of slippery, unbalanced raw ground. — New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clenches
  1. grips
  2. clutches
  3. grasps
  4. holds
  5. clasps
  6. grabs
Noun
  • But for all the celebrations, there are also serious safety considerations as potentially record heat grips much of the Midwest and East Coast.
    — Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • The lightweight frames have rubber temple grips and adjustable nose pads.
    — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of grips
Verb
  • In the midst of handing the job over to his son, even as Diego is making a speech about water supplies, hygiene and education, Don Alejandro snatches it back to cheers, clutches his heart and dies.
    — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • In it, Marilyn clutches the pillow toward her, revealing her disarming fragility.
    — Michael Soncin, Vanity Fair, 9 June 2026
Definition of clutches
Noun
  • Through universal intelligent manipulation, the robot autonomously plans grasps, adjusts force in real time, and navigates obstacles using seamless hand–eye coordination.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 Jan. 2026
  • The Hurricanes needed that to happen after the game nearly slipped out of their grasps.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
Definition of grasps
Verb
  • For a stable, repo-local script, that critique holds, and wrapping every small command in a gateway adds surface area no one needs.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • The stock has eased slightly since then to around $171, a normal pause after such a steep run, and the level to watch is whether that old $130 breakout zone holds if the pullback extends.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Definition of holds
Noun
  • Designer buttons and hardware Before donating a designer blazer, look at the buttons, zippers and clasps.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
  • Check for metal clasps, which can rust.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
Definition of clasps
Verb
  • Once inside, she’s confronted by Tommy (James Eddie), who stupidly grabs her to escort her out.
    — William Earl, Variety, 2 July 2026
  • When forecasters warn about a heat wave, the number that grabs headlines is the daytime high.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of grabs

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Cite this Entry

“Clenches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clenches. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of clenches for Spanish Speakers

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