Finesentence logo

Clenched: meaning, definitions and examples

✊
Add to dictionary

clenched

 

[ klɛncht ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

physical tension

Clenched refers to the act of holding something tightly or firmly closed, often as a response to anger, anxiety, or stress. It typically describes the way in which muscles contract or grip an object, such as fists or jaws. This tension can be a physical manifestation of emotional states, indicating a need to control or contain feelings or situations. The term is often used in both everyday language and psychological contexts.

Synonyms

compressed, gripped, tightened

Examples of usage

  • He stood with clenched fists, ready to fight.
  • She spoke through clenched teeth, barely containing her anger.
  • The dog had its teeth clenched as it growled.
  • Clenched jaws can often signal stress.

Translations

Translations of the word "clenched" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cerrado

🇮🇳 सकुचित

🇩🇪 geballt

🇮🇩 menggenggam

🇺🇦 стиснутий

🇵🇱 zaciśnięty

🇯🇵 握りしめた

🇫🇷 serré

🇪🇸 apretado

🇹🇷 sıkı

🇰🇷 주먹 쥔

🇸🇦 مُقبَض

🇨🇿 zkousnutý

🇸🇰 stisnutý

🇨🇳 握紧的

🇸🇮 stisnjen

🇮🇸 klemmdur

🇰🇿 қысылған

🇬🇪 დაჭერილი

🇦🇿 sıxılmış

🇲🇽 apretado

Etymology

The word 'clenched' originates from the Old English term 'clycian', meaning to close or to fold. It is derived from the Proto-Germanic '*klankwōną', which is related to the sense of grasping or gripping tightly. Over time, the term evolved through Middle English as 'clenche' to its modern form, emphasizing both the physical act of squeezing and the emotional implications of tension. 'Clenched' increasingly became associated with expressions of frustration or anger, as it vividly illustrates the connection between physical actions and emotional states. This evolution reflects a broader linguistic trend in English to create compound forms that encapsulate complex physical and emotional expressions.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,707, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.