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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Clench Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：grip tightly (clench)

clench 🔊

/klentʃ/

to close your hand or fist tightly because of strong emotion or effort.

Clench definition illustrated by a tightly closed fist showing tension and grip.

grip tightly 🔊

➕

/ɡrɪp ˈtaɪtli/

To tightly close one's fingers into a fist, often as a physical manifestation of intense emotion such as anger, anxiety, determination, or as a preparatory action involving effort.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English *clenc(e)an*, meaning to hold fast, make cling, related to 'cling'.

💡 Mnemonic

CLENCH sounds like CLENCH - CLUTCH LENgth tightly, as in holding the length of a rope or your fingers in a fist.

📖 Example

Before the big speech, he took a deep breath and clenched his fists under the table to calm his nerves. 🔊 Before the big speech, he took a deep breath and gripped his fists tightly under the table to calm his nerves.

🔗 Collocations

clench one's fist – to tightly close one's hand into a ball

clench one's jaw – to press the teeth together tightly, often in anger or concentration

clench something in one's hand – to hold an object very tightly within a closed hand

🔄 Synonyms

grip (v.) – to hold something very tightly

grasp (v.) – to seize and hold firmly

squeeze (v.) – to press something firmly, especially from all sides

🚫 Antonyms

release (v.) – to allow something to move, act, or flow freely

relax (v.) – to make or become less tense or rigid

loosen (v.) – to make something less tight

🌱 Derivatives

clenched (adj.) – held or pressed tightly together

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Old English, 'clench' originally meant to make something adhere or hold fast. Its use expanded from describing a physical grip (fist, teeth) to metaphorical contexts of determination and emotional tension, reflecting the Anglo-Saxon value placed on steadfastness.

Meaning 2：set firmly together (clench)

clench 🔊

/klentʃ/

to press your teeth together tightly, often when in pain, concentrating, or determined.

Clench your teeth meaning shown with a close-up of a tense jaw and clenched teeth.

set firmly together 🔊

➕

/set ˈfɜːmli təˈɡeðər/

To press one's teeth together tightly. This action is commonly associated with enduring pain, intense concentration, suppressing emotion, or demonstrating strong willpower.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The patient clenched his teeth as the dentist began the procedure, trying his best not to move. 🔊 The patient set his teeth firmly together as the dentist began the procedure, trying his best not to move.

🔗 Collocations

clench one's teeth – to press the upper and lower teeth together tightly

clenched jaw – a state where the jaw muscles are tightened and the teeth are pressed together

clench something between one's teeth – to hold an object tightly using the teeth

🔄 Synonyms

gnash (v.) – to grind or strike (the teeth) together, as in rage or pain

grit (v.) – to clench or grind the teeth, especially in determination

clamp (v.) – to fasten or hold something in a tight or fixed position

🚫 Antonyms

unclench (v.) – to release from a clenched state

relax (v.) – to make the jaw muscles less tense