clench

About 0.27 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To grip or hold fast.

   I clenched the rope in my teeth.

2. verb To close tightly.

   He clenched his fist in anger.

3. verb Alternative form of clinch (“bend and hammer a nail”).
4. verb Dated form of clinch (“make certain, finalize”).

   to clench an argument

5. noun A tight grip.
6. noun Alternative form of clinch (“the act of bending and hammering the point of a nail so it cannot be removed”).
7. noun A seal that is applied to formed thin-wall bushings.
8. noun A local chapter of the Church of the SubGenius parody religion.

Similar words

clutch clinch clutches grasp grip hold clasp clunch clamp hold on

Often followed by

his your the and my her their of in

Word family

clenched clenches clenching