as in clenched
to close or secure (something, such as a door) with a latch
latch the gate
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Recent Examples of latched
The video showed that during the second time, the dog latched onto Evans’ left forearm and violently thrashed as Evans cried out in pain.
—
Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
As Asymmetric began to struggle in 2025, McCann latched onto a crypto fad known as digital asset treasury companies, popularized by Michael Saylor’s Strategy, formerly Microstrategy.
—Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
When the first season started airing on HBO in 2019, fans instantly latched onto the glam — which was decidedly bright and sparkly despite how dark the show was.
—Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
An own goal gave Rennes an early lead and Jordan forward Mousa Al-Tamari latched onto a long ball to lob the goalkeeper in the 25th minute.
—ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Investigators believe that as the bar was closing, Parkhurst either hid somewhere in the establishment, or re-entered through a door and latched it behind him, the affidavit said.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
The Crew Module side hatch cover is removed, and the seals are greased, cleaned and inspected before the 500-pound hatch door is shut and latched using special tools, including a socket wrench and ratchet.
—Miles Doran, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
While some Summer House viewers immediately latched onto the first rumblings of a more-than-friend connection — care of the sometimes-reliable Deuxmoi — others worked hard to find non-fire explanations for the smoke.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2026
The one commode in it was shielded from sight only by wooden shutters, which swung on double-action spring hinges, like saloon doors, and had to be latched shut with a hook on a swivel.
—Caleb Crain, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
As Asymmetric began to struggle in 2025, McCann latched onto a crypto fad known as digital asset treasury companies, popularized by Michael Saylor’s Strategy, formerly Microstrategy.
—Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
When the first season started airing on HBO in 2019, fans instantly latched onto the glam — which was decidedly bright and sparkly despite how dark the show was.
—Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
An own goal gave Rennes an early lead and Jordan forward Mousa Al-Tamari latched onto a long ball to lob the goalkeeper in the 25th minute.
—ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Investigators believe that as the bar was closing, Parkhurst either hid somewhere in the establishment, or re-entered through a door and latched it behind him, the affidavit said.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
The Crew Module side hatch cover is removed, and the seals are greased, cleaned and inspected before the 500-pound hatch door is shut and latched using special tools, including a socket wrench and ratchet.
—Miles Doran, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
While some Summer House viewers immediately latched onto the first rumblings of a more-than-friend connection — care of the sometimes-reliable Deuxmoi — others worked hard to find non-fire explanations for the smoke.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2026
The one commode in it was shielded from sight only by wooden shutters, which swung on double-action spring hinges, like saloon doors, and had to be latched shut with a hook on a swivel.
—Caleb Crain, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for latched
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
-
The 9-17 start is also tied for the 12th worst start through this point in franchise history.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The swinging bunt tied the game at 1-1.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While traditional wallpaper is meticulously pasted to a wall, peel-and-stick attaches quickly with an adhesive backing.—
Shagun Khare,
Martha Stewart,
16 Apr. 2026
-
They were raised in congressional hearings and pasted on posters in anti-ICE demonstrations.—
Mica Rosenberg,
ProPublica,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sunday’s Game 1 loss clinched a series defeat against the cellar-dwelling Rockies (12-16), who won Friday night’s series opener, 4-3, before Saturday’s game was rained out.—
Peter Sblendorio,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Boston, Montreal and the two-time defending champion Minnesota Frost have clinched postseason spots.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While the other candidates pressed their palms against the podiums, ready to pounce on every question, Becerra clasped his hands like an altar boy.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Another girl, Donna Jo, apparently naked on a back-yard lawn, holds several small, round pieces of fruit, still on their leafy branch, clasped to her chest like a trophy.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Police swarmed in, and the people in the car bolted and were also on the loose in the surrounding neighborhood early Monday morning.—
Kris Habermehl,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
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According to other attendees, including Times journalists, event staffers were checking tickets, though not very thoroughly, at multiple points prior to escalators that descended to the metal detectors where Allen allegedly bolted past armed security.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And if the elements are glued on, the dryer is likely to cause the glue to melt.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The same gloved hand that had reached through the broken window clamped around her calf.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Needing a stop, Aaron Gordon clamped De’Aaron Fox to force an air-ball at the shot clock buzzer.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Latched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/latched. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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