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

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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

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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

Many shuffled between the help desk and the hospital notice board, clutching photographs and scanning injured patients’ lists in the hope of finding them. — Victoria Milko, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 Garcia lends the whole song theater-kid interpretation, essentially acting out the lyrics in pantomime, grasping out in front of her, clutching her face. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026 Austin appeared to be clutching at his right knee while on the ground, clearly in a lot of pain. — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 For decades, sweaty hands clutched the ridged yellow wood on test day. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clutch

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutch

Noun

Zero Rassvets have reached 500 miles, and none of the second group have climbed above 300 miles, whereas much of the first cluster seems to have settled into stable orbits.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026
Rattlesnake warnings popping up across Texas The cluster of warnings comes as other communities around Texas are also urging residents to watch for rattlesnakes.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of cluster

Noun

Founded by Jesse and Ashlyn Gagnon in 2023, Orthodox is an American farmhouse brewery known for its small-batch beers with a distinct Belgian influence.

— John Magsam, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026
This week’s batch includes new albums from Turnstile, Erykah Badu and the Alchemist, Interpol, and more.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of batch

Noun

The climate crisis is making certain types of extreme weather events both more frequent and more severe.

— Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
State health authorities who have been fighting the opioid crisis for decades are still surprised by the drop, said Evan Gumas, a senior research associate at the Commonwealth Fund.

— Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of crisis

Noun

As Itauma continued attempting to throw power punches, Hrgović knew his opponent had nothing left and went for the kill.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
The last act before festival founder Olivia Rodrigo, Roan turned it out with all of her powers—bolstered by a bold and bitchy, razor-sharp bob.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of power

Verb

Researchers have built versions that grip tree branches, cling to rough walls, and even latch onto moving vehicles, but ice – especially steep, unpredictable glacier ice – had remained one of the field's toughest holdouts.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026
Stock Chart IconStock chart icon In the lead-up to the 1997 crisis, markets were gripped by tech optimism amid the advent of the internet.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of grip

Noun

Unsurprisingly, the Elie Saab H&M collection plays up after-dark glamour, and just in time for holiday party season, too.

— Tina Isaac-Goizé, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
The trove of women’s bloomers, drawers, knickers, brassieres, corsets, and girdles is just a small part of the school’s historic clothing collection, with images shared by the University of Wyoming Libraries via JSTOR.

— April White, JSTOR Daily, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of collection

Noun

The Los Angeles Police Department released a video that shows officers at the Valley jail manhandle an uncooperative inmate who died after he was left handcuffed with a bag over his head while laying prone on the bunk in his cell.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
The Canadian singer caused a commotion with her ensemble, showing off a head-to-toe Alaïa ensemble from the upcoming Archetypes spring 2027 collection.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of clutch

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noun (2)

verb

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