clench

verb

clenched; clenching; clenches

transitive verb

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
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.
This movement relaxes the jaw and keeps you from clenching or grinding. Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Verywell Health, 26 Mar. 2025 My anxiety climbed, heart racing and head pounding as my jaw clenched tightly. Elizabeth Price, Vox, 22 Jan. 2025 The next day, the fisherman was found by rescuers —— dead with his son’s boot still clenched beneath his arm. Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 8 Jan. 2025 When the vessels clench after a pulse of norepinephrine, cerebrospinal fluid moves in to fill the gap. Bymitch Leslie, science.org, 8 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clench

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English -clencan; akin to Old English clingan to cling

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clench was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clench.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clench. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

clench

verb
1
: to hold fast : clutch
2
: to set or close tightly
clench one's teeth
clench one's fist

More from Merriam-Webster on clench

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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