as in clenched
to have or keep in one's hands
he clutched the eggs carefully so he wouldn't drop them
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Recent Examples of clutched
Flowers surrounded the baby girl's tiny casket inside the Lawrence Woodward Funeral Home in Crown Heights, as family members clutched each other and said their final goodbyes.
—
Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Elliot Cadeau came rushing over to his mom after the game, a fistful of maize-and-blue confetti clutched tight in his hand.
—Justin Williams, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
One woman clutched her young, smiling child with a look of pure horror on her face.
—Megan Armstrong, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Others brought flowers, clutched to their chests.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
Along Ferrari Ranch Road in Lincoln, Karl and Jan Hess clutched to protest signs.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Last year, the Checkers almost clutched the Calder Cup trophy for the second time in franchise history under the American Hockey League banner.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
Aunt Fely clutched her chest when my mother told her of Nora’s death.
—Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
When Contributing Editor Sheri Castle revealed that the secret to crystal clear sweet tea was a teaspoon of baking soda, some Southern Living readers clutched their pearls in disbelief.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Elliot Cadeau came rushing over to his mom after the game, a fistful of maize-and-blue confetti clutched tight in his hand.
—Justin Williams, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
One woman clutched her young, smiling child with a look of pure horror on her face.
—Megan Armstrong, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Others brought flowers, clutched to their chests.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
Along Ferrari Ranch Road in Lincoln, Karl and Jan Hess clutched to protest signs.
—Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Last year, the Checkers almost clutched the Calder Cup trophy for the second time in franchise history under the American Hockey League banner.
—Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
Aunt Fely clutched her chest when my mother told her of Nora’s death.
—Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
When Contributing Editor Sheri Castle revealed that the secret to crystal clear sweet tea was a teaspoon of baking soda, some Southern Living readers clutched their pearls in disbelief.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutched
Verb
-
Participants alternately clenched their toes (rock), spread them apart (paper) and crossed the big toe over the others (scissors).—
Lindsey Leake,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
-
May watched, jaw clenched, arms crossed, eyes glassy.—
Justin Williams,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Gabbard’s appointment was full of risk from the start because of her background, but her inconsequential impact on actual matters of policy might be one more reason to downsize the bloated national-security infrastructure put in place during the panic that gripped America after 9/11.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2026
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But candlemania has gripped the world of interior design, as many crave the soft glow and more natural feel of candlelight, and holders become the ideal vehicle for decor expression without breaking the bank (in most cases).—
Francesca Perry,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
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
-
Investigators later learned Hissom and her male passenger, who was wounded, were caught in a crossfire as a group of four or five men grabbed weapons from a vehicle and began firing at each other.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
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Aristide then allegedly charged at his brother, grabbed him by the neck and forced him to the ground, according to the report.—
Mauricio Maldonado,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clutched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutched. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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