clutched; clutching; clutches
1
: to grasp or hold with or as if with the hand or claws usually strongly, tightly, or suddenly
He clutched his chest and appeared to be in pain.
2
obsolete
: clench
1
: to seek to grasp and hold
clutched at her hand
2
: to operate an automobile clutch (see clutch entry 2 sense 2a)
1
a
: the claws or a hand in the act of grasping or seizing firmly
a rabbit in the clutch of a hawk
b
: an often cruel or unrelenting control, power, or possession
the fell clutch of circumstance—
W. E. Henley
W. E. Henley
c
: the act of grasping, holding, or restraining
2
a
: a coupling used to connect and disconnect a driving and a driven part (such as an engine and a transmission) of a mechanism
b
: a lever (such as a pedal) operating such a clutch
Depress the clutch to change gears.
3
: a tight or critical situation : pinch
come through in the clutch
4
1
: made or done in a crucial situation
a clutch hit
2
: successful in a crucial situation
a clutch pitcher
a clutch hitter
Synonyms
Verb
Noun (1)
- boiling point
- breaking point
- conjuncture
- crisis
- crossroad(s)
- crunch
- crunch time
- Dunkirk
- emergency
- exigency
- extremity
- flash point
- head
- juncture
- tinderbox
- zero hour
Noun (2)
Examples of clutch in a Sentence
Verb
I had to clutch the counter to keep from falling.
The child clutched her mother's hand firmly.
He had a book clutched in his hand.
Adjective
She scored a clutch basket.
Recent Examples on the WebShira Rubin, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
Bartholomew walked forward, clutching a staff, and ascended his patriarchal throne.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024
Clear bags no larger than 12 inches wide, such as a gallon-sized plastic bag, and clutch purses no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches are allowed.
—The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
People clutch precious items — a book, a magazine, a photo, a gray felt cowboy hat — waiting for their two-minute turn with the Queen of Graceland, who sits at a table behind a poster-sized portrait of herself in younger days.
—Michael Callahan, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Mar. 2024
Judith Lieber is great for kitschy, Swarovski statement clutches in novelty designs; Nina has been making collections of formal-friendly bags and shoes from luxe looking materials like satin since 1953.
—Shelby Ying Hyde, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2024
Parker could be seen holding a JW Anderson pigeon clutch from season 2 while Davis was dressed in a sliming black ensemble with a pink satin bow and a white peter pan collar.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
When costume designer Holly Waddington gave her acceptance speech, Stone blew a kiss to the screen and clutched her heart.
—Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2024
Each red carnation clutched by a supporter of the Russian dissident can be seen as a small act of resistance in a country where the state has cleared the landscape of all political competition.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024
Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Feb. 2024
Even so, landing a DGA, PGA, and BAFTA nominee with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score for $2 is clutch.
10.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2024
Having the right products is clutch, and Verovic has some recommendations.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 10 Jan. 2024
If your destination is dusty, sandy, near water, or calling for rain, this waterproof pouch is clutch.
—Jen Ator, Travel + Leisure, 1 Jan. 2024
For me, this looks like my laptop, something to read (magazines are clutch here), my keys, airpods, and sunglasses.
—Vicki Denig, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2023
Auburn escaped back on the red-eye across the country Sunday morning with a 14-10 win over Cal in an ugly, sloppy performance on the offensive side of the ball, but a wildly clutch day on defense.
—Matt Cohen | McOhen@al.com, al, 11 Sep. 2023
And, of course, in typical Girlfriend style, the color options are clutch.
—Laura Lajiness Kaupke, Women's Health, 9 Aug. 2023
Disposable wipes, toilet paper, and other cleanup supplies are also clutch.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 2 Aug. 2023
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2024
Petco Park prohibits backpacks and bags, with the exception of single-compartment clear plastic bags not exceeding 12 inches by six inches by 12 inches, infant and medical bags, and clutches and purses no larger than 5 inches by 7 inches.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2024
Add a comfortable pair of strappy sandals and a colorful clutch for all your essentials.
—Essence, 9 Apr. 2024
Their actuator, published 20 March in Science Robotics, uses springs and clutches to accomplish a variety of tasks with a fraction of the energy usage of a typical electric motor.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Mar. 2024
The look was completed with a classic updo, sheer tights, black heels, silver accessories and a sparkling clutch.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2024
Getty Images Bella Bag The owner of this little shop in Modena sources beautiful fabrics from around the world and transforms them into chic toes, clutches, and backpacks.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2024
Then a five-alarm fire, treating him like Steph Curry, using bumps, jersey clutches, switches and double teams.
—Billy Witz, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
In 1962, Lamborghini drove to the factory in Maranello and told Ferrari that his clutch wasn’t quite right.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2024
Verb
Shiri Bibas was filmed on Oct. 7, terrified and clutching her children as gunmen forced them into captivity.
—Shira Rubin, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
Bartholomew walked forward, clutching a staff, and ascended his patriarchal throne.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024
Clear bags no larger than 12 inches wide, such as a gallon-sized plastic bag, and clutch purses no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches are allowed.
—The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
People clutch precious items — a book, a magazine, a photo, a gray felt cowboy hat — waiting for their two-minute turn with the Queen of Graceland, who sits at a table behind a poster-sized portrait of herself in younger days.
—Michael Callahan, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Mar. 2024
Judith Lieber is great for kitschy, Swarovski statement clutches in novelty designs; Nina has been making collections of formal-friendly bags and shoes from luxe looking materials like satin since 1953.
—Shelby Ying Hyde, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2024
Parker could be seen holding a JW Anderson pigeon clutch from season 2 while Davis was dressed in a sliming black ensemble with a pink satin bow and a white peter pan collar.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024
When costume designer Holly Waddington gave her acceptance speech, Stone blew a kiss to the screen and clutched her heart.
—Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2024
Each red carnation clutched by a supporter of the Russian dissident can be seen as a small act of resistance in a country where the state has cleared the landscape of all political competition.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024
Adjective
His three 3-pointers were as clutch as his late free throws, and as crucial as his defense on Iowa guard Tony Perkins.
—Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Feb. 2024
Even so, landing a DGA, PGA, and BAFTA nominee with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score for $2 is clutch.
10.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2024
Having the right products is clutch, and Verovic has some recommendations.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 10 Jan. 2024
If your destination is dusty, sandy, near water, or calling for rain, this waterproof pouch is clutch.
—Jen Ator, Travel + Leisure, 1 Jan. 2024
For me, this looks like my laptop, something to read (magazines are clutch here), my keys, airpods, and sunglasses.
—Vicki Denig, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2023
Auburn escaped back on the red-eye across the country Sunday morning with a 14-10 win over Cal in an ugly, sloppy performance on the offensive side of the ball, but a wildly clutch day on defense.
—Matt Cohen | McOhen@al.com, al, 11 Sep. 2023
And, of course, in typical Girlfriend style, the color options are clutch.
—Laura Lajiness Kaupke, Women's Health, 9 Aug. 2023
Disposable wipes, toilet paper, and other cleanup supplies are also clutch.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 2 Aug. 2023
Noun
New York collected four consecutive singles and was fueled by clutch two-out hitting.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2024
Petco Park prohibits backpacks and bags, with the exception of single-compartment clear plastic bags not exceeding 12 inches by six inches by 12 inches, infant and medical bags, and clutches and purses no larger than 5 inches by 7 inches.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2024
Add a comfortable pair of strappy sandals and a colorful clutch for all your essentials.
—Essence, 9 Apr. 2024
Their actuator, published 20 March in Science Robotics, uses springs and clutches to accomplish a variety of tasks with a fraction of the energy usage of a typical electric motor.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Mar. 2024
The look was completed with a classic updo, sheer tights, black heels, silver accessories and a sparkling clutch.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2024
Getty Images Bella Bag The owner of this little shop in Modena sources beautiful fabrics from around the world and transforms them into chic toes, clutches, and backpacks.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2024
Then a five-alarm fire, treating him like Steph Curry, using bumps, jersey clutches, switches and double teams.
—Billy Witz, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
In 1962, Lamborghini drove to the factory in Maranello and told Ferrari that his clutch wasn’t quite right.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clutch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near clutch
Cite this Entry
“Clutch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clutch. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clutch
2 of 4 noun1
a
: the claws or a hand in the act of grasping
b
: an often cruel or stern power or control
had the enemy in their clutches
2
: a device for gripping an object
3
a
: a coupling used to connect and disconnect a driving and a driven part in machinery
b
: a lever or pedal operating a clutch
4
: a tight or critical situation : pinch
he came through in the clutch
clutch
3 of 4 adjective
: done or doing well in a tight or critical situation
a clutch play
a clutch player
clutch
4 of 4 noun
: a nest or batch of eggs or a brood of chicks
Etymology
Verb
Old English clyccan "to grasp, hold"
Noun
altered form of dialect word cletch "a hatching, brood"
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