clenched; clenching; clenches
1
2
: to hold fast : clutch
clenched the arms of the chair
3
: to set or close tightly
clench one's teeth
clench one's fists
clench
noun
Examples of clench in a Sentence
He clenched his teeth and continued to look straight ahead.
He clenched his fists in anger.
She was angry and spoke quietly through clenched teeth.
His jaw clenched and unclenched as he listened to the speech.
She danced alone, with a rose clenched in her teeth.
He was clenching a cigarette in his teeth.
Recent Examples on the Web
Certainly any commuter clenching his or her teeth traveling on Highway 101 through Silicon Valley or agonizing along the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles won’t complain the state has too few occupants.
—
Mark Z. Barabak, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025
The case started in 2020 when King’s campaign committee posted a version of the meme of Griner’s son, an 11-month-old with a determined look on his face, clenching a fistful of sand.
—Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
When the final whistle sounded, Darwin Nunez clenched his fists and looked up to the heavens.
—James Pearce, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
In addition to snoring, other symptoms of sleep apnea can include bruxism (teeth clenching), neck pain, anxiety, and daytime drowsiness.
—Mill Etienne, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clench 
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Mark Z. Barabak, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025
The case started in 2020 when King’s campaign committee posted a version of the meme of Griner’s son, an 11-month-old with a determined look on his face, clenching a fistful of sand.
—Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
When the final whistle sounded, Darwin Nunez clenched his fists and looked up to the heavens.
—James Pearce, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
In addition to snoring, other symptoms of sleep apnea can include bruxism (teeth clenching), neck pain, anxiety, and daytime drowsiness.
—Mill Etienne, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clench
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Dictionary Entries Near clench
Cite this Entry
“Clench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clench. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.
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