as in fastens
to put securely in place or in a desired position
clamped the headphones to her ears and began to listen
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Recent Examples of clamps
The Pocket Grip also features a central hex drive that clamps a standard hex bit.
—
Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2026
The device, which clamps onto the line just above the hook and pairs zinc and graphite in seawater, creates a small electric field about the size of a beachball around the hook, and rattles approaching sharks.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
This is an adjustable graphics-card brace, and its screw tightens the part that clamps it to the slide.
—PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
Here, Lloyd clamps a muzzle — part fetish club, part Bane — over Lucky’s mouth while Pozzo pushes him in a wheelchair (the actor, Michael Patrick Thornton, uses a chair).
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2026
The device, which clamps onto the line just above the hook and pairs zinc and graphite in seawater, creates a small electric field about the size of a beachball around the hook, and rattles approaching sharks.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
This is an adjustable graphics-card brace, and its screw tightens the part that clamps it to the slide.
—PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
Here, Lloyd clamps a muzzle — part fetish club, part Bane — over Lucky’s mouth while Pozzo pushes him in a wheelchair (the actor, Michael Patrick Thornton, uses a chair).
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clamps
Verb
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My favorite detail is the red ribbon on Giovanna’s right shoulder, which fastens her sleeve to her dress and floats over the darkness.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Aquazzura’s signature swirling ankle strap curves upward from the sides of the shoe and fastens the 105mm heel with a slim buckle.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Loop Capital expects Wex to stage a comeback, particularly as its over-the-road (OTR) business that makes up ~30% of mobility segment secures more sales.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Canes tackle secures Necklace of the Night honors in pre-draft intros.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Following her character’s breakup with a cowboy (played by Luke Grimes), Langley hitches a ride back to Tennessee with a sage country singer who’s already seen it all (Miranda Lambert).—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
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Piecemeal progress As Scott hitches his legacy to trying to eradicate the thousands of vacant homes that have blighted the city for decades, the contrast between the two neighborhoods may be the biggest hurdle.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
13 Dec. 2025
Verb
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There’s the whirlwind romance of his current relationship, which anchors the album.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Main Street anchors the historic downtown neighborhood that dates back to 1844.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clamps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clamps. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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