clench

To clench something is to hold onto it very tightly with the teeth or with the hands, or the upper and lower teeth are held together tightly.

• Jeremy clenches his teeth at night, but he doesn’t realize he’s doing it.
• Some people clench their teeth when they are angry.
• Through clenched teeth, the man said he would get even with the person who vandalized his house.
• When an alligator uses its teeth to clench onto an object or another animal, it doesn’t let go easily.
• The dog has a ball clenched in its teeth.
• The boy clenched his fists in preparation for a fight. (fist = fingers curled up in a ball)
• Clenched in Maria’s hands was the money that she needed to pay her rent for the month.
• Some drivers clench the steering wheel as they drive through ice and snow.

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Published on March 3, 2018