as in to hush
to stop talking
the little girl clammed up when the doctor came into the room
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clam up
Although regulations may usher in more urgency for sustainable action, the laws rolling out around transparent claims could lead to companies clamming up about their initiatives to avoid potential greenwashing penalties.
—
Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
While Lydia wallows in the residual pain, Paul has clammed up.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024
Judges struggle to name favorite cheese Ask a judge to pick their favorite and most will clam up, dodge the question or offer a long, unranked list.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024
One social worker said that a girl clammed up in a recent interview that her mother was invited to.
—Scooty Nickerson, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2024
City clams up over chance of lawsuit Antoine Bryant, director of planning and development, apologized to City Council members for soliciting the contract to pay for the murals using city money without the nine-member body's approval, which is required.
—Detroit Free Press, 25 Jan. 2024
With less contact between the user's hand and the electronics, plus more airflow, users may find their hands clamming up less easily during long hours of intense use.
—Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 2 Feb. 2023
Jim Harbaugh will coach not to lose and clam up just enough to let Ohio State’s amazing skill talent pull the upset late.
—J. Brady McCollough, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2023
When pandemic lockdowns clammed up her restaurant clientele, Ms. Brown began selling her oysters from her flatbed truck near her farm in Little Bay, New Hampshire.
—Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Sep. 2023
Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
While Lydia wallows in the residual pain, Paul has clammed up.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024
Judges struggle to name favorite cheese Ask a judge to pick their favorite and most will clam up, dodge the question or offer a long, unranked list.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024
One social worker said that a girl clammed up in a recent interview that her mother was invited to.
—Scooty Nickerson, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2024
City clams up over chance of lawsuit Antoine Bryant, director of planning and development, apologized to City Council members for soliciting the contract to pay for the murals using city money without the nine-member body's approval, which is required.
—Detroit Free Press, 25 Jan. 2024
With less contact between the user's hand and the electronics, plus more airflow, users may find their hands clamming up less easily during long hours of intense use.
—Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 2 Feb. 2023
Jim Harbaugh will coach not to lose and clam up just enough to let Ohio State’s amazing skill talent pull the upset late.
—J. Brady McCollough, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2023
When pandemic lockdowns clammed up her restaurant clientele, Ms. Brown began selling her oysters from her flatbed truck near her farm in Little Bay, New Hampshire.
—Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Sep. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clam up
Verb
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The Golden State Warriors have extended a final chapter for their dynastic journey, while the Dallas Mavericks are hushing away fake mourners and apoplectic fans.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
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Standing on the boardwalk near the spring boil, visitors of all ages made remarks of awe and wonder while keeping their voices hushed in a show of reverence for nature’s wonder.—
Patrick Connolly,
Orlando Sentinel,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The problem started with the pandemic; although road traffic dried up, the death rate leapt by 20 percent.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
9 Apr. 2025
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This can be risky because if that source dries up, the business could struggle.—
Adam Fineberg,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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It is put up or shut up time for the UCLA men’s basketball team.—
Jim Alexander,
Orange County Register,
19 Mar. 2025
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Or shut up’ The members of the Jan. 6 investigative committee are hitting back at President Trump for his threat to nullify the presidential pardons surrounding their work.—
Aris Folley,
The Hill,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clam up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clam%20up. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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