Vocafy, efficient language learning Vocafy, efficient language learning
0 English - Dictionary monolingual

Clench

klɛn(t)ʃ
Very common
~ 1500
~ 1500, Very common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
To close tightly; to grip or squeeze tightly, To hold tightly or firmly, To tighten or contract (muscles)

Clench - Meanings

To close tightly; to grip or squeeze tightly

Example: She clenched her fists in anger.
Usage: formal/informalContext: emotional situations, physical exertion
Note: Often used to describe physical actions expressing strong emotions or efforts.

To hold tightly or firmly

Example: He clenched the handle of the sword before charging into battle.
Usage: formalContext: describing physical actions or control
Note: Can also imply a sense of determination or resolve.

To tighten or contract (muscles)

Example: The athlete clenched his jaw as he prepared for the race.
Usage: formalContext: sports, physical activities
Note: Commonly used in contexts related to physical performance or readiness.

Clench's synonyms

grip

To hold onto something firmly with the hand or hands.
Example: She gripped the handle tightly.
Note: While 'clench' often implies closing the hand tightly, 'grip' can also refer to holding something firmly without necessarily closing the hand into a fist.

grasp

To take hold of something firmly with the hand or hands.
Example: He grasped the rope to pull himself up.
Note: Similar to 'clench,' but 'grasp' can also imply more of a deliberate action of taking hold of something rather than just closing the hand tightly.

squeeze

To apply pressure to something by enclosing and compressing it firmly.
Example: She squeezed the stress ball to relieve tension.
Note: While 'clench' involves closing the hand tightly, 'squeeze' specifically refers to applying pressure by compressing something.

clutch

To hold onto something tightly, often with fear or desperation.
Example: He clutched the papers to his chest.
Note: Similar to 'clench,' but 'clutch' often conveys a sense of urgency or intense emotion in the action of holding onto something.

Clench expressions, common phrases

Bite the bullet

To endure a painful or difficult situation with courage and determination.
Example: I have to bite the bullet and tell my boss the truth about what happened.
Note: While 'clench' refers to gripping tightly or closing firmly, 'bite the bullet' involves facing a difficult situation or enduring pain.

Hold one's ground

To maintain one's position, opinion, or stance in the face of opposition or pressure.
Example: Despite the criticism, she held her ground and defended her position.
Note: Unlike 'clench,' which focuses on the action of closing tightly, 'hold one's ground' emphasizes standing firm in a situation.

Bear down

To exert pressure or focus intensely on a task or goal.
Example: She bore down on her studies in preparation for the final exams.
Note: While 'clench' denotes a physical action of gripping tightly, 'bear down' implies a mental or physical effort to concentrate or apply pressure.

Grit one's teeth

To endure a difficult or painful situation with determination and resolve.
Example: He gritted his teeth and pushed through the pain to finish the race.
Note: Similar to 'clench,' which involves tightening or closing firmly, 'gritting one's teeth' signifies enduring hardship or discomfort.

Set one's jaw

To show determination, resolve, or readiness to confront a difficult situation.
Example: She set her jaw and faced the challenge head-on.
Note: Compared to 'clench,' which relates to gripping tightly, 'set one's jaw' indicates a readiness to confront challenges or obstacles.

Close ranks

To come together and unite in a show of solidarity or support.
Example: In times of crisis, the team members close ranks to support each other.
Note: Unlike 'clench,' which involves a physical action of closing tightly, 'close ranks' refers to a figurative closing of ranks or forming a united front.

Dig in one's heels

To stubbornly resist change or refuse to alter one's position or opinion.
Example: She dug in her heels and refused to compromise on the terms of the contract.
Note: While 'clench' focuses on gripping or closing tightly, 'dig in one's heels' pertains to stubbornly holding onto a position or stance.

Clench everyday (slang) expressions

Clench onto

This slang term emphasizes the action of firmly holding onto something, often with force or determination.
Example: She clenched onto her phone tightly to make sure she wouldn't drop it.
Note: It adds a sense of urgency or intensity to the act of holding onto something.

Clench up

To 'clench up' means to become tense or rigid due to strong emotions such as anger, fear, or anxiety.
Example: I could see him clenched up with anger as he listened to the news.
Note: It focuses on the physical response of tensing up, rather than just clenching the teeth or fists.

Clench your fist

This term refers to the action of making a fist by tightly curling the fingers and thumb inward.
Example: He clenched his fist in frustration before walking away.
Note: It specifies the action of clenching in the context of making a fist, typically to show anger or determination.

Clench your teeth

To 'clench your teeth' means to press or grind the teeth together tightly, often to endure pain or control emotions.
Example: She clenched her teeth to hold back her screams during the intense scene.
Note: It highlights the physical act of grinding the teeth together, typically in response to discomfort or stress.

Clench down

To 'clench down' implies exerting control over negative emotions or reactions, suppressing them internally.
Example: He clenched down on his frustration, not wanting it to affect his performance.
Note: It suggests a deliberate effort to contain emotions or reactions, rather than outwardly expressing them through physical tension.

Clench tight

This slang term conveys the idea of gripping or holding onto something firmly and securely.
Example: She clenched tight onto the steering wheel as she navigated through the heavy traffic.
Note: It emphasizes the strength and security of the grip, often in situations requiring focus or determination.

Clench together

To 'clench together' means to come closer physically or emotionally in a tight or supportive manner.
Example: They clenched together, silently supporting each other through the difficult moment.
Note: It implies a sense of unity or solidarity by physically drawing close together, often in times of need or shared experience.

Clench - Examples

Clench your fists and take a deep breath.
The pain made her clench her teeth.
He clenched his jaw in anger.

Clench grammar

Clench - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)
Lemma: clench
Conjugations
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): clenched
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): clenching
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): clenches
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): clench
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): clench
Syllables, Separation and Stress
clench Contains 1 syllables: clench
Phonetic transcription: ˈklench
clench , ˈklench (The red syllable is stressed)

Clench - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
clench: ~ 1500 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Back