clench
gb/klˈɛnt͡ʃ/ us/klˈɛnt͡ʃ/
B1
English
~ 1600
összeszorít, szorít, ökölbe szorít, megfeszít, összeszorul, szorítás, összeszorítás
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to clench [something]
She clenched her fists in anger.
Dühében ökölbe szorította mindkét kezét.
He clenched the steering wheel as the car skidded.
Ahogy az autó megcsúszott, görcsösen szorította a kormányt.
I clenched my teeth to keep from shouting.
The child clenched her mother's hand tightly in the crowd.
Learner examples
He clenched his fist.
Ökölbe szorította a kezét.
I clenched my teeth.
Összeszorítottam a fogamat.
She clenched my hand.
He clenched the pen in his hand.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'clench' with 'clutch'. 'Clutch' is often about holding onto something for support or in fear, while 'clench' is about tightening muscles or closing something firmly.
Meaning
Close tightly by pressing muscles
Collocations
clench a fist
|clench teeth
|clench jaw
|clench hands
Synonyms
grip (Implies holding firmly, but not necessarily with the same sense of tension or emotion as 'clench'.)
Antonyms
release (Means to let go or stop holding tightly.)
Themes
daily life
|body
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To hold or press something very hard with your hand, teeth, or other muscles.
To press or squeeze something firmly, especially with the hands, teeth, or muscles.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to clench [body part]
Her jaw clenched when she heard the insult.
Összeszorult az állkapcsa, amikor meghallotta a sértést.
He clenched his stomach muscles during the workout.
Edzés közben megfeszítette a hasizmait.
I clenched my eyes shut against the bright light.
Learner examples
She clenched her jaw.
Összeszorította az állkapcsát.
He clenched his eyes shut.
Szorosan lehunyta a szemét.
I clenched my stomach muscles.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'clench' for any kind of holding; it specifically means tightening muscles, not just gripping objects.
Meaning
Tighten muscles from emotion or strain
Collocations
clench jaw
|clench stomach
|clench muscles
Synonyms
tense (A general term for making muscles tight; may not imply the firmness or grip of 'clench'.)
Antonyms
relax (Means to make muscles loose and free from tension.)
Themes
body
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make part of your body tight because you feel angry, afraid, in pain, or are working hard.
To tighten parts of the body, such as the stomach or jaw, because of strong emotion, pain, or physical effort.
NOUN
B2
3
szorítás
B1
His fists were in a tight clench.
Mindkét keze szorosan ökölbe volt szorítva.
She had a clench on my arm that I couldn't break.
Olyan erősen szorította a karomat, hogy nem tudtam kiszabadulni.
The clench of his jaw showed his anger.
Learner examples
He had a clench in his fist.
Szorosan ökölbe volt szorítva a keze.
She kept a clench on my arm.
Továbbra is erősen szorította a karomat.
I saw the clench of his jaw.
Meaning
Tight closing or gripping action
Collocations
in a clench
|a firm clench
Synonyms
grip (Refers generally to holding something; 'clench' implies more tension and firmness.)
Antonyms
release (The act of letting go after gripping tightly.)
Themes
body
|core_vocabulary
Definition
When you close your hand, teeth, or muscles very tightly.
The act of closing or tightening something firmly with the hands, teeth, or muscles.
Grammar
Dictionary form
clench
IPA
GB/klˈɛnt͡ʃ/
US/klˈɛnt͡ʃ/
Syllables & stress
clench (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (clench)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: clench
- 3rd Person Singular: clenches
- Present Participle: clenching
- Past: clenched
Word family
Forms
clenches
verb
clenching
verb
clenched
verb
Negative and opposite forms
unclench
verb
Expressions
clench one's fists
1/klˈɛnt͡ʃ wˈʌnz fˈɪsts/
fixed phrase
Close hands into fists tightly
To close your hands very tightly, often because you are angry or upset.
Examples
- She clenched her fists in frustration.
- He clenched his fists as the argument continued.
clench one's teeth
1/klˈɛnt͡ʃ wˈʌnz tˈiθ/
fixed phrase
Press teeth together firmly
To press your teeth together hard, often because you are angry, in pain, or trying not to show emotion.
Examples
- He clenched his teeth and said nothing.
- She clenched her teeth as the dentist worked.
jaw clench
1/d͡ʒˈɔ klˈɛnt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
Tighten jaw muscles firmly
To make the muscles in your jaw tight, often because you are angry or stressed.
Examples
- His jaw clenched when he saw them together.
- A sudden jaw clench betrayed her irritation.