intransitive/transitive if you clench a part of your body such as your hand or your mouth, or if it clenches, you close it tightly, especially because you are angry or upset
He clenched his fists in frustration.
I could see the muscles in his jaw clench.
Synonyms and related words
To move your limbs and appendages
reach out
reach
kick
2
transitive to hold something very firmly, especially because you are frightened, worried, or angry
Synonyms and related words
To hold something or someone
carry
hold on
hang on
clench
verb
US /klentʃ/
Other entries for this word
clench upphrasal verb
Word Forms
present tense
I/you/we/they
clench
he/she/it
clenches
present participle
clenching
past tense
clenched
past participle
clenched
DEFINITIONS2
1
intransitive/transitive if you clench a part of your body such as your hand or your mouth, or if it clenches, you close it tightly, especially because you are angry or upset
He clenched his fists in frustration.
I could see the muscles in his jaw clench.
Synonyms and related words
To move your limbs and appendages
spread
fold your arms/hands
bend
2
transitive to hold something very firmly, especially because you are frightened, worried, or angry