English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

clenching

noun
1
The act of gripping or closing something tightly, such as a fist or jaw.
"Dentists often see tooth damage caused by nighttime clenching."
"The constant clenching of his jaw gave away his stress."

How to Use Clenching

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe action of squeezing something shut tightly, often the fists or jaw.

Common pairings
jaw clenching fist clenching

Word Forms

clenchings plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “clenching” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Dentists often see tooth damage caused by nighttime _____.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial