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to clench

to clench

70 3.5
To squeeze something tightly with your hands or teeth
  • verb
  • /klɛntʃ/
translation icon : apretar
  • She had to clench her fists to stop herself from shouting in frustration.
  • a clenched fist
  • clenched teeth
  • clenched hands

Some actors are physical, make them clench their fist, make them ball up.

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Examples

  • His face was red with rage, and his shaking hands were clenched into fists.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Some actors are physical, make them clench their fist, make them ball up.

  • You guys clench, release and clench and release and hold.

  • I try not to clench up.

  • Now bring your arms out to AT, clench your fist tight.

  • Do you normally speak through clenched teeth?

  • - Just relax and stop clenching.

  • Have you ever noticed how babies, their little fists are clenched like that?

  • When they left, May Anna stood there clenching her fists, her face white.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Benjamin just stood there, his eyes hard, his jaw working as he clenched and unclenched his teeth.

    Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

to tighten
vsto clench
145 1.5

To make something hold firmly, like a bolt or belt

is about holding or squeezing rather than only causing tightness
to squeeze
vsto clench
119 1.6

To press something firmly with your hand or fingers

includes closing with teeth or using muscles as well as hand action
to clutch
vsto clench
118 3.4

To hold something tightly with the hands or because of strong feeling

is similar but also applies to closing teeth or contracting muscles
to grip
vsto clench
85 1.3

To hold something or someone tightly, often to keep them safe

can also mean a tight bite with teeth or steady muscle pressure
to hold tight
vsto clench
  • Informal
42 2.2

Grab something firmly with your hands to stay safe

also covers squeezing with muscles or closing with the teeth
to clasp
vsto clench
33 2.6

To hold a person or thing tightly with your hands

is broader and also covers squeezing by muscles or teeth
to grit
vsto clench
7 5.6

To press your teeth together when you feel angry or in pain

applies to hands and other muscles as well, not only teeth
to clinch
vsto clench
6 4.8

To hold someone tightly, for example in a fight or a hug

is used more generally for closing or squeezing by hands or teeth
to gnash one's teeth
vsto clench
1 7.9

To grind your teeth together because you feel angry or frustrated

covers other body parts and hand squeezing besides teeth action
to hold close
vsto clench
1 1.4

Keep a person or thing tightly against your body

focuses on tight force rather than only bringing things near
to tauten
vsto clench
6.2

To pull something like a rope until it becomes tight or to become tight

focuses on active closing or squeezing rather than general tightening

Antonyms

1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

88 1.0

Make something less tight so it can move or open

How Tight

to clench
70 3.5
to squeeze
119 1.6

Surface Forms

clench infinitive
clenched past
clenched past participle
clenching present participle
clenches third person singular

Etymology

Clench comes from an old English idea of 'seizing' or 'holding tight', like when you clench your fist or jaw. So, to clench means to close or squeeze something very tightly.