CLENCHED Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

clenched

verb

past tense of clench

as in clutched

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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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 clenched As the recording played, with Davis recounting seeing the ambulance that was carrying the rapper, Shakur’s sister clenched her left hand against her mouth. — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 Clad in the world champion’s rainbows, Evenepoel clenched both his fists, beamed a toothy grin, and hugged his soigneur. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 22 July 2026 The White House Key Facts A rendering of the passport shared by the White House on Friday shows Trump presumably leaning over the Resolute Desk, fists clenched, alongside his signature and text from the Declaration of Independence. — Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 Coley and the audience know this isn’t true, but Sonya’s clenched jaw and steely gaze don’t leave room for questions. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 26 June 2026 The fellow fan seemingly signaled so, as the heir to the throne clenched his hand into a festive fist pump. — Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026 As the ball landed safely on the other side of the left field fence at Nationals Park on Monday, Dylan Crews clenched his fists and let out a scream. — Danielle Allentuck, Washington Post, 16 June 2026 An accompanying photograph shows Glimcher holding the viewer’s gaze, his right hand outstretched on the desk, clenched in a tight fist. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 4 June 2026 Tuanzebe—born in Bunia, raised in Rochdale—is sprinting toward the corner flag, fists clenched at his waist, triumphant. — Franklin Leonard, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clenched

Verb

For decades, sweaty hands clutched the ridged yellow wood on test day.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Dian Weys’ drama Vultures clutched top honors at HollyShorts Sunday evening, winning the prestigious festival’s Grand Jury Prize for Best Short Film.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of clutched

Verb

The case has gripped television and online trial watchers after several witnesses testified that Clancy was a good and devoted mother for years before her mental health deteriorated after giving birth to her third child.

— Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
More than a month after news of the stabbings in the small college town gripped the nation, Kohberger, then a PhD student of criminology at nearby Washington State University, was arrested in his home state of Pennsylvania.

— Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of gripped

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

Definition of held

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“Clenched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clenched. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of clenched

verb

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