as in clenched
to have or keep in one's hands
he clutched the eggs carefully so he wouldn't drop them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 clutched
Knickers were twisted and pearls clutched.
—
Dana O'Neil, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Bars and restaurants were already riddled with screens before everyone at the table also clutched one in their hand.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
In less than a second, the ball was clutched in Grizzle’s outstretched arms before he was brought down to the turf, part blue and part orange.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2025
Women clutched children in their arms, weeping uncontrollably.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
Whether draped, cinched, wrapped, or clutched at the sternum, there’s no wrong way to mater this versatile piece.
—Minty Mellon, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
The twenty-one-year-old is talking on the phone, and the ten-year-old is asleep on the sofa, her iPad clutched in her hands, her mouth slightly open.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
With the Emmy engraving completed, Einbender held the trophy in one hand, clutched the hem of her one-shoulder Louis Vuitton gown and her heels with the other, and ambled into the party.
—USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
According to The Cut, Tami also impersonated Kendra for her last Halloween party, dressing as a scarecrow in a prison jumpsuit paired with a mask of her mugshot and phones clutched in its hands.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Dana O'Neil, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Bars and restaurants were already riddled with screens before everyone at the table also clutched one in their hand.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
In less than a second, the ball was clutched in Grizzle’s outstretched arms before he was brought down to the turf, part blue and part orange.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2025
Women clutched children in their arms, weeping uncontrollably.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
Whether draped, cinched, wrapped, or clutched at the sternum, there’s no wrong way to mater this versatile piece.
—Minty Mellon, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
The twenty-one-year-old is talking on the phone, and the ten-year-old is asleep on the sofa, her iPad clutched in her hands, her mouth slightly open.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
With the Emmy engraving completed, Einbender held the trophy in one hand, clutched the hem of her one-shoulder Louis Vuitton gown and her heels with the other, and ambled into the party.
—USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
According to The Cut, Tami also impersonated Kendra for her last Halloween party, dressing as a scarecrow in a prison jumpsuit paired with a mask of her mugshot and phones clutched in its hands.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutched
Verb
-
Her purplish hands remained clenched on her chest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
-
To estimate 10 degrees in the sky, use the width of your clenched first held at arm's length.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
French authorities have arrested several suspects after a frantic manhunt for the men who staged a spectacular daytime heist at the Louvre museum that gripped the world and embarrassed the government in Paris.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Starring Annabella Sciorra, Rebecca De Mornay and Matt McCoy, the film gripped audiences with its tense portrayal of trust and betrayal within the home.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.—
Daniel S. Levine,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In the third quarter, as the Lakers grabbed firm control of the game, Deandre Ayton ignited the crowd by attacking the basket with force.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The teen said Cairo then ordered him to get down on his knees, and at one point grabbed his shoulder in an attempt to push him to the ground – ultimately leaving him feeling threatened, according to WPTV.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clutched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutched. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share