clench

[ klench ]
See synonyms for clench on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
  1. to close (the hands, teeth, etc.) tightly.

  2. to grasp firmly; grip.

verb (used without object)
  1. to close or knot up tightly: His hands clenched as he faced his enemy.

noun
  1. the act of clenching.

  2. a tight hold; grip.

  1. something that clenches or holds fast.

Origin of clench

1
1200–50; Middle English clenchen; compare Old English beclencan hold fast

Other words for clench

Words that may be confused with clench

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use clench in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for clench

clench

/ (klɛntʃ) /


verb(tr)
  1. to close or squeeze together (the teeth, a fist, etc) tightly

  2. to grasp or grip firmly

noun
  1. a firm grasp or grip

  2. a device that grasps or grips, such as a clamp

noun, verb
  1. another word for clinch

Origin of clench

1
Old English beclencan, related to Old High German klenken to tie, Middle High German klank noose, Dutch klinken rivet

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012