death grip

noun

Definition of death gripnext
as in control
the right or means to command or control others the cult leader had such a death grip on his followers that all orders were carried out without the slightest objection

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 death grip The stagnant offense of his death grip dragged its way into a final-drive game, eerily similar to when Florida faced USF weeks ago, kicking off this saga. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2025 As in give it up, let go, release the death grip. — Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2025 Across genres and styles, new books must maintain a death grip on the reader’s attention, fearful of losing it to the many readily accessible distractions lying at most one foot from the book itself. — Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025 After further assessment and some discussion, the team focused on the quad, which evidently had a death grip on Tichyque’s femur. — Literary Hub, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for death grip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for death grip
  1. control
  2. power
  3. dominion
  4. sway
  5. reign
Noun
  • These trajectories document a robot’s behavior before an intervention, the moment a human operator takes control, and the corrective actions used to recover or complete the task.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Having control over a venue allows stadiums to be designed specifically with a women’s sports fan in mind, which can be critical to gameday experience.
    — Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of control
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
Noun
  • Faced with the dominion of the identical copy, some modern artists chose to celebrate it; others took a more critical, even antagonistic stance.
    — Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Propelling themselves through the 00s, iconic franchises continued to thrive with both Star Wars and Star Trek maintaining their dominion over sci-fi cinema.
    — Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of dominion
Noun
  • The Democratic contest to replace Moulton in the House will also test whether former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris still have some sway over Democratic voters.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
  • For scholars of that mindset, all reference to precedent—any precedent, either natural or artificial—is mediated by modern technologies of mechanical reproduction, and by an awareness of their ubiquitous sway.
    — Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of sway
Noun
  • Nightingale was the fourth-ever AEW TBS champion and held the belt for 35 days before Moné ended her first reign.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Moments before a winner was declared, Eckert concluded her reign with two accidental tumbles on stage, prompting a standing ovation from the crowd.
    — Morgan Evans, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of reign

Browse Nearby Words

deathblows
death grip
death grips
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Death grip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/death%20grip. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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