Clenches — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈklench/

Meaning & Definition of Clenches

Clenches (verb)

  1. clinch
  2. to hold fast, clutch
  3. to set or close tightly

Clenches (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the act or manner of holding

    "fearful that his suitcase might be stolen, he never once relaxed his clench on the handle"

    similar: clasps, grapples, grasps, grips, handgrips, handholds, holds
    related: anchorages, leverages, purchases, grabs, seizures, footholds, footings, toeholds, clinches, embraces, hugs
    near: releases, relinquishments

Clenches (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to have or keep in one's hands

    "clenched a tissue in his hands as he told his story of misfortune"

    similar: clings (to), clutches, grips, holds, hangs on to, holds on to
    related: bears, carries, bags, captures, catches, collars, corrals, grabs, grapples, hooks, lands, latches (on or onto), nabs, nails, seizes, snaps (up), snares, snatches, takes, traps, feels, fingers, handles, paws, clasps, embraces, grasps, hugs, cradles
    near: drops, gives, hands, unclasps, unhands, cedes, delivers, gives up, hands out, hands over, releases, relinquishes, renders, turns over, yields

Related Entry: Clench (noun)

Clench is a different word from Clenches. The synonyms below are for clench, not for clenches.

  1. the act or manner of holding

    "fearful that his suitcase might be stolen, he never once relaxed his clench on the handle"

    similar: clasp, grapple, grasp, grip, handgrip, handhold, hold
    related: anchorage, leverage, purchase, grab, seizure, foothold, footing, toehold, clinch, embrace, hug
    near: release, relinquishment

Related Entry: Clench (verb)

Clench is a different word from Clenches. The synonyms below are for clench, not for clenches.

  1. to have or keep in one's hands

    "clenched a tissue in his hands as he told his story of misfortune"

    similar: cling (to), clutch, grip, hold, hang on to, hold on to
    related: bear, carry, bag, capture, catch, collar, corral, grab, grapple, hook, land, latch (on or onto), nab, nail, seize, snap (up), snare, snatch, take, trap, feel, finger, handle, paw, clasp, embrace, grasp, hug, cradle
    near: drop, give, hand, unclasp, unhand, cede, deliver, give up, hand out, hand over, release, relinquish, render, turn over, yield

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Clenches

The most common words with a similar meaning to Clenches:

clasps, grapples, grasps, grips, handgrips, handholds, holds, clings (to), clutches, hangs on to, holds on to

Related Words for Clenches

anchorages, leverages, purchases, grabs, seizures, footholds, footings, toeholds, clinches, embraces, hugs, bears, carries, bags, captures, catches, collars, corrals, hooks, lands, latches (on or onto), nabs, nails, seizes, snaps (up), snares, snatches, takes, traps, feels

Near Antonyms of Clenches

releases, relinquishments, drops, gives, hands, unclasps, unhands, cedes, delivers, gives up, hands out, hands over, relinquishes, renders, turns over, yields

Word Forms of Clenches

Inflections: clenched, clenching

Derived words: clench (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Clenches

Middle English, from Old English -clencan; akin to Old English clingan to cling

First known use: 13th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Clenches

What does "Clenches" mean?

"Clenches" means clinch. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: clinch. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Clenches"?

Other words for "Clenches" include clasps, grapples, grasps, grips, handgrips, handholds, holds and clings (to). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Clenches" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Clenches"?

There are 45 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Clenches". Common alternatives include clasps, grapples, grasps, grips, handgrips, handholds, holds, clings (to), clutches and hangs on to.

How do you use "Clenches" in a sentence?

Examples of "Clenches" in a sentence: "fearful that his suitcase might be stolen, he never once relaxed his clench on the handle"; "clenched a tissue in his hands as he told his story of misfortune".

Is "Clenches" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Clenches" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Clenches"?

"Clenches" is pronounced /ˈklench/.

What is the origin of the word "Clenches"?

"Clenches" comes from Middle English, from Old English -clencan; akin to Old English clingan to cling. First known use: 13th century.

What is another word for "Clenches" meaning "the act or manner of holding"?

When "Clenches" (noun) means the act or manner of holding, synonyms include clasps, grapples, grasps, grips, handgrips and handholds.