fist

verb

Definition of fistnext
as in to grip

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fist
  1. grip
  2. clasp
  3. grasp
  4. clutch
  5. secure
  6. hold
  7. corner
  8. rend
Verb
  • The case has gripped Kenya since the discovery of the mass graves.
    — Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The European Commission Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighborhood condemned the violence gripping Albania.
    — Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of grip
Verb
  • The upshot of this is that George, who works the room in a sharp gray suit, a few tattoos peeking out, has plenty of opportunities to charismatically make things right, shaking hands and clasping shoulders and sending over lull-filling drinks.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Then the duo begins, and everyone leans forward, rapt, hands clasped loosely in front of them, mouthing every word.
    — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of clasp
Verb
  • Among the Louvre’s loans is Bathsheba Holding King David’s Letter, from 1654, which depicts the heroine grasping King David’s disastrous summons.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • With self-driving vehicles and even some humanoid robots entering larger-scale production, there’s an increasingly high demand to build AI systems that better grasp how to move about the physical world without barreling into everything around it.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of grasp
Verb
  • 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, 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
Definition of clutch
Verb
  • Despite increasingly sophisticated tools, the panelists stressed that technology alone will not secure a career.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • If something looks wrong, secure your Facebook account right away.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of secure
Verb
  • Deep underground, iron-rich rocks could hold the key to producing hydrogen at a fraction of the cost of conventional fuels.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Firms that know exactly where the line sits hold quiet advantages their competitors cannot purchase or replicate.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of hold
Verb
  • Titans corner Cor’Dale Flott (quad), the former Giant, and backup running back Tyjae Spears (ankle) are both questionable.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Hazel’s bestie Amir (Jordan Aaron Hall) might as well take advantage of the lockdown to corner the guy who’s essentially ghosted him after a great night together.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of corner
Verb
  • Two rising stars could land their first Oscar nominations this award season for heart-rending performances.
    — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Through four series, Spartacus encounters brutal battles, heart-rending betrayals, and more.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of rend
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.

Browse Nearby Words

fissures
fist
fisted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fist. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All