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Glite Dictionary
vise-like

vise-like

1 6.5
So tight that it does not let something move, like a strong grip
  • adjective
  • /ˈvaɪsˌlaɪk/
  • US
translation icon : como un tornillo
  • But no matter how hard it blew, it could not dislodge his vise-like grip on his mount's reins.
  • vise-like grip
  • vise-like pressure

Examples

  • For a bewildering instant, the prosthesis signaled conflicting sensations of boiling heat and numbing cold, of feather-light tickling and vise-like pressure.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • Jeff took it and tried not to wince from the vise-like grip.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • Karen tries to turn her head away, but Quinn's grip is vise-like.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • Anxiety tightened, vise-like, around my middle.

  • The magnetic soles of their pressure-suit boots were set to maximum, but as the ground shook, he clasped Eva's arm in a vise-like grip.

Synonyms

tight
vsvise-like
6 1.0

In a way that holds something firmly and not loose

is much stronger and suggests an unyielding clamping pressure
viselike
vsvise-like
  • US
1 8.8

A very tight hold that stops movement

is even firmer and more unyielding than that compressing hold
vicelike
vsvise-like
  • UK
6.1

Holding something very tightly so it cannot move

is more extreme and unyielding than merely tight holding

Antonyms

loose
155 1.0

Not tight so it can move or fall off

flexible
31 3.4

Able to bend easily without breaking and return to shape

How Tight

vise-like
  • US
1 6.5
tight
6 1.0
to snug
4 3.5
loose
155 1.0

Surface Forms

vise-like positive

Morphology

vise-like = vise (transparent) = vise + like

Formed from 'vise' + the adjective-forming suffix '-like', so the meaning 'resembling a vise' is directly inferable.

Etymology

Vise-like comes from the tool vise, a metal clamp that 'squeezes' and holds things very tightly. So, if something is vise-like, it feels 'extremely tight' or 'firm', just like being held in a strong clamp.