clutches 1 of 3

noun (1)

plural of clutch
1
as in clusters
a number of things considered as a unit a clutch of medals adorned the general's chest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in groups
a usually small number of persons considered as a unit a clutch of people traveling together

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

clutches

2 of 3

noun (2)

plural of clutch
1
as in crises
a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action a football quarterback who always comes through in the clutch

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2
as in powers
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

clutches

3 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of clutch
as in grips
to have or keep in one's hands he clutched the eggs carefully so he wouldn't drop them

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 clutches
Noun
Those are responsible for starting the diesel engines, which can be divorced via a lever that engages and disengages the inboard steering clutches. — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 20 Aug. 2026 The battle to save a section of SpaceX's giant Starship rocket from the clutches of the Indian Ocean appeared to have been lost. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026 But as the episode closes out on another flash-forward to Joe’s captivity, we’re reminded that the plan of escape from this hellish timeline only throws her deeper into its clutches. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2026 The store’s Sri Lankan linen clothing is made nearby, as are the colorful wallets and clutches crafted from upcycled plastic and used fishing rope. — Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026 This design has enough space to clear 14 pairs of shoes from your closet plus a slim drawer on top for storing things like sunglasses, clutches, small umbrellas, and more. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2026 Whether in roomy totes or chic evening clutches, the color brought an elegant warmth to any moment. — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 31 July 2026 The brand has also slowly expanded its offering to include leather totes, clutches and ties, as well as unisex jewelry. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 20 July 2026 Cyclops Odysseus’s wittiest ploy in Homer’s tale concerns him and his men’s escape from the clutches of Polyphemus, the giant cyclops (and son of Poseidon). — Marlow Stern, Variety, 17 July 2026
Verb
Anna practically clutches her pearls when asked to help the homeless. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026 For years, Guerin has held onto his veteran core like a grandmother clutches her third-generation pearls. — Michael Russo, New York Times, 2 July 2026 In the midst of handing the job over to his son, even as Diego is making a speech about water supplies, hygiene and education, Don Alejandro snatches it back to cheers, clutches his heart and dies. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 In it, Marilyn clutches the pillow toward her, revealing her disarming fragility. — Michael Soncin, Vanity Fair, 9 June 2026 Here, a guest clutches hers as the finishing touch to her breezy button-down, maxi skirt, and heeled flip-flops. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 3 June 2026 Lemann, like the talkative older ladies of her youth, clutches the motifs of her past like talismans. — Brandy Jensen, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026 Martin Short clutches his laptop walking onto set for Jimmy Kimmel Live! — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026 Mispelys Salazar clutches a stack of papers close to her chest as bristling wind gusts threaten to send them flying into the air. — Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutches
  1. clusters
  2. groups
  3. crises
  4. powers
  5. grips
  6. batches
  7. groupings
  8. crossroads
Noun
  • Autumn Joy Stonecrop Also called autumn joy sedum, this hardy, summer- and fall-flowering perennial is known for its succulent foliage and dense clusters of tiny pink flowers.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Staple builds clusters of commerce by opening small businesses that locals will actually use, and then adds accommodations to attract visitors.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of clusters
Noun
  • The other two, one in Miami and another in Tallahassee, were both filed by various voting rights groups on the same day DeSantis signed the bill — April 1.
    — Liv Caputo Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Investigators were combing through the area in large groups, searching the ground for possible clues.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of groups
Noun
  • Both of the relationship crises reach what seem like turning points.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
  • But the island’s multiple crises forced the government to end the previous school year in June — one month early.
    — Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of crises
Noun
  • Then there are the tensions between small island nations who make up the majority of the Forum and its two largest powers and biggest donors, Australia and New Zealand, about their climate efforts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Between the huge practical sets and stunts, the matte paintings and in-camera trickery, the on-location filming, and a leading man at the height of his movie star powers, Spielberg and his team performed the filmmaking equivalent of wizardry.
    — Frank DeRuggiero, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of powers
Verb
  • The Mercyenforcer grips the handle of his light in his bare hand to look into my other eye.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
  • New Orleans is facing an unusual weather combination as Tropical Storm Bertha moves along the northern Gulf Coast while dangerous heat grips the region.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 22 July 2026
Definition of grips
Noun
  • The rockets that launched the first two batches of Rassvets released the satellites much closer to Earth, and the satellites were expected to use their own plasma engines to raise their orbits over the next few months.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026
  • In supply chains, product data is being validated and enriched continuously rather than in periodic batches.
    — Adrian Carr, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of batches
Noun
  • Lemon mostly worked in personnel groupings with Smith and Wicks.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The Phase One regional groupings for the Leagues Cup were as follows.
    — Jason Cohen, PC Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of groupings
Noun
  • Jeffries, who is poised to become the House speaker if his party wins power and would be the first Democrat to wield the gavel since Pelosi, faces a party at a crossroads.
    — Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Although geopolitical analysts love to talk about turning points, crossroads, and dilemmas, many governments have a prosaic tendency to defy these dramatic predictions and muddle through.
    — Ben Bland, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of crossroads

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Cite this Entry

“Clutches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutches. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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