clench

American  

[klench] / klɛntʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to close (the hands, teeth, etc.) tightly.

2. to grasp firmly; grip.

   Synonyms:

   clutch, clasp

3. clinch.

4. clinch.

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verb (used without object)

1. to close or knot up tightly.

   His hands clenched as he faced his enemy.

noun

1. the act of clenching.

2. a tight hold; grip.

3. something that clenches or holds fast.

4. clinch.

clench British  

/ klɛntʃ /

verb

1. to close or squeeze together (the teeth, a fist, etc) tightly

2. to grasp or grip firmly

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noun

1. a firm grasp or grip

2. a device that grasps or grips, such as a clamp

noun

1. another word for clinch

Etymology

Origin of clench

1200–50; Middle English clenchen; compare Old English beclencan hold fast

Example Sentences

Zara’s standing on the side with the rest of our team, her hands clenched.

From Literature

“In the past, every time I paid the fees, my heart would clench,” said Li Meng, a 45-year-old patient undergoing assisted reproductive treatment at Peking University People’s Hospital.

From Barron's

Somatic workout classes, characterized by minuscule clenches and releases, have exploded in popularity as an antidote to high-intensity exercise.

From The Wall Street Journal

After years spent clenching, tightening and torquing myself out of all types of alignment, I am ready to surrender my way back to something like order.

From The Wall Street Journal

With that, Tansy turned back her cuffs and reached into the coffin to work the pointer loose from Miss Myrt’s clenched hands.

From Literature

Related Words

• clamp
• clasp
• clutch