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DictionaryclenchTight closing or gripping
verb / noun

clench

KLENCH/klentʃ/

A tight closing or gripping, or the act of doing so.

The athlete clenches a hand into a tight fist.

A close view of an athlete's hand closed tightly into a fist beside a tennis ball, on a sports bench; calm neutral training setting.
Etymology
clenchOld Englishhold fast, make cling

Old English clencan meant “make cling”: to cause something to hold fast. This connects a tight grip with the later sense of setting fists or teeth firmly together.

In context

Mel Robbins60:58
it is an issue with the muscles and uh not like somehow training yourself to clench when you should be releasing
Master Class on How To Fix Your Digestive Issues & Gut Health (With a Renowned GI Doctor)

More examples

  • She notices the tight clench of his jaw.
  • The child clenches the toy to his chest.
  • His teeth remained clenched throughout the tense meeting.

Forms

clench · clenches · clenched · clenching

Similar words

grip
Can involve holding firmly without closing the hand completely.
clasp
Clasp holds with the hands or closes around something; clench stresses forceful tightening.