Clutch meaning

What does “clutch” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“clutch” is a noun and verb with 10 meanings. Its most common meaning is: the act of grasping.

clutch

the act of grasping
“he released his clasp on my arm”
“he has a strong grip for an old man”
Synonymsclasp clench clutches grasp grip hold
a tense critical situation
“he is a good man in the clutch”
a number of birds hatched at the same time
a collection of things or persons to be handled together
Synonymsbatch
a woman's strapless purse that is carried in the hand
Synonymsclutch bag
a pedal or lever that engages or disengages a rotating shaft and a driving mechanism
“he smoothely released the clutch with one foot and stepped on the gas with the other”
Synonymsclutch pedal
a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism
“this year's model has an improved clutch”

take hold of; grab
“The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter”
“She clutched her purse”
Synonymsseize prehend
hold firmly, usually with one's hands
“She clutched my arm when she got scared”
Synonymscling to hold close hold tight
affect
“Fear seized the prisoners”
“The patient was seized with unbearable pains”
Synonymsseize get hold of

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University