CLUTCH Synonyms: 223 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'clutch' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of clutch are grab , grasp , seize , snatch , and take . While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding. // clutching her purse

Q: How do 'grab' and 'snatch' relate to one another, in the sense of 'clutch'?

Grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch . // grabbed roughly by the arm

Q: When can 'grasp' be used instead of 'clutch'?

The words grasp and clutch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession. // grasp the handle and pull

Q: In what contexts can 'seize' take the place of 'clutch'?

While in some cases nearly identical to clutch , seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible. // seized the suspect

Q: How are the words 'snatch' and 'seize' related as synonyms of 'clutch'?

Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize . // snatched a doughnut and ran

Q: Where would 'take' be a reasonable alternative to 'clutch'?

The words take and clutch can be used in similar contexts, but take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control. // take some salad from the bowl

clutch 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of clutch

as in cluster

a number of things considered as a unit a clutch of medals adorned the general's chest

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in batch

a usually small number of persons considered as a unit a clutch of people traveling together

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

clutch

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in crisis

a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action a football quarterback who always comes through in the clutch

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in power

the right or means to command or control others a nation no longer living in the clutch of a cruel tyrant

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

clutch

3 of 3

verb

ˈkləch

as in to grip

to have or keep in one's hands he clutched the eggs carefully so he wouldn't drop them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word clutch different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of clutch are grab, grasp, seize, snatch, and take. While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

clutching her purse

How do grab and snatch relate to one another, in the sense of clutch?

Grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

grabbed roughly by the arm

When can grasp be used instead of clutch?

The words grasp and clutch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

grasp the handle and pull

In what contexts can seize take the place of clutch?

While in some cases nearly identical to clutch, seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

seized the suspect

How are the words snatch and seize related as synonyms of clutch?

Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

snatched a doughnut and ran

Where would take be a reasonable alternative to clutch?

The words take and clutch can be used in similar contexts, but take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

take some salad from the bowl

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of clutch

Verb

Florjancic narrowly missed an uphill 10-footer for par after a nice chip, and McConnell converted yet another clutch two-putt for the win. — Harris Horowitz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 Dart was clutching at his knee after getting sandwiched between two Rams defenders that beat the Giants’ tackles off the edge, and while airborne, video replay showed his leg shift in an awkward way. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026 Worse, following behind him was his wife, clutching their infant son, dragging along their young daughter. — Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026 Her stylist, Lorenzo Posocco, completed the look with a Ferragamo Gancini mini wristlet leather clutch in black, with gold accents, and multiple silver earrings. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clutch

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clutch

Noun

Just around a curved hallway are three colorful displays of books wrapped in African textiles by the British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare, each presiding over a cluster of seating.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
The structure’s 27 gleaming marble petals rise in clusters of three to form nine sides, creating a perfectly symmetrical bloom that appears to float above a series of nine reflecting pools.

— Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of cluster

Noun

However, delays in actual delivery have meant that only the first batch has been delivered this year.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026
The White House originally said checks would begin in October, but the administration official told CNBC the first batch went out this Wednesday.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of batch

Noun

In its examination of Haiti’s deepening crisis, the panel detailed how influential figures in Haitian society continue to support armed gangs.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
And then, largely as a byproduct of the scaremongering around the AIDS crisis, there was a sense of things going backwards.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of crisis

Noun

State agencies, including the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security, have helped local officials with damage assessments and power restoration, among other tasks.

— Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
Its inclusion in the corridors of power is characteristic of the 52-year-old executive, whom colleagues describe as committed, charismatic and down-to-earth.

— Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of power

Verb

Paris — Students fought running battles with police and several schools were ablaze Friday as a new day of violence gripped France with no end in sight to protests that have rocked the country.

— Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
Secondly, as markets remain gripped by concerns around long-term public debt and fiscal sustainability globally, Gower acknowledged that higher bond yields remain a challenge for non-yielding assets like gold.

— Hugh Leask, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of grip

Noun

Some 37% of Gen Z women kept their collections on view only within their own households, compared with 16% of Gen Z men.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
The series is based upon Helene Tursten’s short story collections An Elderly Lady Is Up To No Good and An Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of collection

Noun

For this humble fishing village in Yemen, a tumbledown grouping of barely-there huts nestled between the water and an imposing mountain range, stands sentinel over one of the world’s most vital waterways.

— Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
In public health, the head of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention stressed the need for the continent to manufacture its own vaccines, and to do so in regional groupings.

— Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of grouping

Noun

Some 700,000 people have lost their lives in the past 18 months as a result of the development cuts, the head of a global aid organization said last week.

— Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Matt Stanley, head of market engagement at Kpler, highlighted Europe’s dilemma and the risks posed by dipping into emergency reserves in an uncertain geopolitical environment.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of head

Browse Nearby Words

clusters

clutch

clutch bag

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Style

“Clutch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clutch. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of clutch

noun (1)

noun (2)

verb

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