clench
v.v. to close a part of your body, like your hand or teeth, very tightly. You often do this when you feel angry, determined, or in pain.
v. to close into a tight ball, as with the fists, or to hold something firmly and tightly. This action often implies determination, anger, or physical effort.
He clenches his fists when he is angry.
The driver clenched the steering wheel as the car skidded on the icy road.
Confronted with the accusation, she said nothing, but her jaw clenched, betraying the anger she refused to voice.
From Middle English clenchen, a variant of Old English clenċan “to hold fast”, itself a variant of clenġan “to adhere, remain”. All derive from Proto-Germanic klangijaną, the causative of klinganą “to stick, adhere”. The kinship with cling is immediate: the roots never let go.
Primarily transitive, taking a direct object like 'fist' or 'jaw'. It can also function intransitively, where a body part tightens in response to an emotion (e.g., 'his stomach clenched').
clinch his fistsclench his fistsLearners may confuse 'clench' (to tighten) with 'clinch' (to secure or finalize). You clench a fist, but you clinch a deal.