CLUTCH Synonyms: 223 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'clutch' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of clutch are grab , grasp , seize , snatch , and take . While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding. // clutching her purse

Q: How do 'grab' and 'snatch' relate to one another, in the sense of 'clutch'?

Grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch . // grabbed roughly by the arm

Q: When can 'grasp' be used instead of 'clutch'?

The words grasp and clutch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession. // grasp the handle and pull

Q: In what contexts can 'seize' take the place of 'clutch'?

While in some cases nearly identical to clutch , seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible. // seized the suspect

Q: How are the words 'snatch' and 'seize' related as synonyms of 'clutch'?

Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize . // snatched a doughnut and ran

Q: Where would 'take' be a reasonable alternative to 'clutch'?

The words take and clutch can be used in similar contexts, but take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control. // take some salad from the bowl

clutch 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of clutch

as in cluster

a number of things considered as a unit a clutch of medals adorned the general's chest

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in batch

a usually small number of persons considered as a unit a clutch of people traveling together

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

clutch

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in crisis

a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action a football quarterback who always comes through in the clutch

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in power

the right or means to command or control others a nation no longer living in the clutch of a cruel tyrant

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

clutch

3 of 3

verb

ˈkləch

as in to grip

to have or keep in one's hands he clutched the eggs carefully so he wouldn't drop them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word clutch different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of clutch are grab, grasp, seize, snatch, and take. While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

clutching her purse

How do grab and snatch relate to one another, in the sense of clutch?

Grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

grabbed roughly by the arm

When can grasp be used instead of clutch?

The words grasp and clutch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

grasp the handle and pull

In what contexts can seize take the place of clutch?

While in some cases nearly identical to clutch, seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

seized the suspect

How are the words snatch and seize related as synonyms of clutch?

Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

snatched a doughnut and ran

Where would take be a reasonable alternative to clutch?

The words take and clutch can be used in similar contexts, but take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

take some salad from the bowl

Example Sentences

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 clutch

Verb

Wearing impractical stilettos and clutching a massive Stanley cup, Trina is introduced to her new pupils. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026 In a first round that portended a lengthy and bloody fight, the Dodgers clutched to a 1-0 lead after three innings with ace Tarik Skubal on the mound and Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski headed for the showers. — Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026 While out and about, Kardashian was spotted clutching a Hermès Mini Kelly handbag. — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2026 Trump is shown clutching a golf club in one hand and the scales of justice in the other. — News Desk, Artforum, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clutch

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutch

Noun

Now, after the top 25 are picked, conversations can be had about whether the committee wants to re-rank any cluster of teams next to each other.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
North Indiana Avenue Apartments A cluster of apartment buildings that face each other in the 100 block of North Indiana Avenue show the growth of multifamily housing along major corridors in northeast Kansas City in the earlier 1900s.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of cluster

Noun

But last year, during Black Friday, Hello82 put up the first batch of tickets for the festival, promising K-pop acts and events, sans any artists officially attached or a specific date.

— Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
Advertisement There are only two of them at home, so a big batch can mean eating the same dinner several nights running.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of batch

Noun

Advertisement The protests are also occurring amid a wider crisis of political confidence in the country.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
The agency, created in 1974 in the wake of the Arab oil embargo, is tasked with maintaining energy security by deploying oil stockpiles in response to crises like the wars in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

— Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of crisis

Noun

Its boosted flat-six engine receives a power bump, and rear-axle steering is now standard, as are larger brakes with six-piston calipers up front.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Europe is now home to some of the most promising companies building clean power, while remaining an expensive place to buy it.

— Sophie Dembinski, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of power

Noun

Trine Dyrholm, Christian Slater, Dree Hemingway are set to star in Jesper Just’s Incidents of Intimacy, the second production in Zentropa’s new collection of Dogma25 pictures.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Kaeding also said the inspiration for the latest collection came from finding pieces in vintage stores and digging through bins.

— Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of collection

Noun

Martelly’s registration under a new political grouping, Debloke, will place the council under heavy scrutiny.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
In a small farm context, that will be to a grouping of farmers that form a producer unit using the same practices in the same climate.

— SJ Studio, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of grouping

Noun

Now, in yet another blow to national self-esteem, the ex-head of Germany’s foreign intelligence agency, the BND, has been arrested on charges of exploiting state secrets.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 17 Oct. 2026
Instead of exchanging the entire print head, the K3 swaps a smaller assembly containing the nozzle, hotend and filament path.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of head

Browse Nearby Words

clusters

clutch

clutch bag

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Style

“Clutch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutch. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of clutch

noun (1)

noun (2)

verb

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