clench
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.
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.
When you close your hand, teeth, or muscles very tightly.
The act of closing or tightening something firmly with the hands, teeth, or muscles.
- Base: clench
- 3rd Person Singular: clenches
- Present Participle: clenching
- Past: clenched
clench one's fists
1Close hands into fists tightly
To close your hands very tightly, often because you are angry or upset.
- She clenched her fists in frustration.
- He clenched his fists as the argument continued.
clench one's teeth
1Press teeth together firmly
To press your teeth together hard, often because you are angry, in pain, or trying not to show emotion.
- He clenched his teeth and said nothing.
- She clenched her teeth as the dentist worked.
jaw clench
1Tighten jaw muscles firmly
To make the muscles in your jaw tight, often because you are angry or stressed.
- His jaw clenched when he saw them together.
- A sudden jaw clench betrayed her irritation.