clutching Definition
- 1grasping or holding tightly with the hand
- 2suddenly becoming very frightened or nervous
Using clutching: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "clutching" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She was clutching a bouquet of flowers.
Example
The child was clutching his mother's hand tightly.
Example
He clutched the steering wheel nervously.
Example
I felt my heart clutching with fear.
clutching Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for clutching
- clamping
- grasping
- gripping
- seizing
- holding
Phrases with clutching
making a desperate attempt at something because there is no real hope or chance of success
Example
He's clutching at straws if he thinks he can still win the game.
clutching one's pearls
an expression of shock, surprise, or disapproval
Example
When she heard the news, she was clutching her pearls in disbelief.
Example
They were so close to winning the game, but they ended up clutching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Summary: clutching in Brief
The term 'clutching' [klʌtʃɪŋ] refers to grasping or holding tightly with the hand, as in 'She was clutching a bouquet of flowers.' It also describes suddenly becoming very frightened or nervous, as in 'I felt my heart clutching with fear.' The phrase 'clutching at straws' denotes a desperate attempt at something because there is no real hope or chance of success.
