clutch

¹clutch

verb \ˈkləch\

Definition of CLUTCH

transitive verb

1

: to grasp or hold with or as if with the hand or claws usually strongly, tightly, or suddenly

2

obsolete : clench

intransitive verb

1

: to seek to grasp and hold <clutched at her hand>

2

: to operate an automobile clutch

Examples of CLUTCH

1. I had to clutch the counter to keep from falling.
2. The child clutched her mother's hand firmly.
3. He had a book clutched in his hand.

Origin of CLUTCH

Middle English clucchen, from Old English clyccan

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to CLUTCH

Synonyms: clench, cling (to), hold, grip

Related Words: bear, carry; bag, capture, catch, collar, corral, grab, grapple, hook, land, latch (on or onto), nab, nail, seize, snap (up), snare, snatch, take, trap; feel, finger, handle, paw; clasp, embrace, grasp, hug; cradle

Near Antonyms: drop, give, hand, unclasp, unhand; cede, deliver, give up, hand out, hand over, release, relinquish, render, turn over, yield

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See Synonym Discussion at take

Rhymes with CLUTCH

crutch, cutch, dutch, Dutch, grutch, hutch, much, scutch, smutch, such, touch