clench
verb (used with object)
to close (the hands, teeth, etc.) tightly.
was clenching
-
past progressiveof clench.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On the ninth, he was clenching his jaw before hitting out of the rough into an uphill green.
From Seattle Times ● May 20, 2022
I was clenching onto the microphone for dear life.
From BBC ● May 4, 2022
Patie was clenching my hand, almost breaking it.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 29, 2017
Apparently I was clenching my teeth so much in my sleep during the deployment that I cracked a couple of them,” she said.
From Time ● Jan. 28, 2013
She turned and waved at me, and I waved back, even though my stomach was clenching.
From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence
