clench

I get up there, I’m like, smile, don’t look like you’re shaking inside, pop the hip, float your arm down, don’t clench your hand.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

As he was moved into the ambulance “his jaw suddenly started to clench down”, she said.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2024

It starts around 6:45 a.m. — a faint, faraway boom, followed by a low growl that makes my stomach tighten and hands clench.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 15, 2023

Introduced to Stallone and his family, the Pope said how much he enjoyed the actor's films, prompting a smiling Stallone to clench his fists as if ready to spar, saying, "Ready, we box."

From Reuters ● Sep. 8, 2023

My face upside down above Caesar’s, I see his jaw clench, his teeth bear down, and his eyes widen with shock.

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Somatic workout classes, characterized by minuscule clenches and releases, have exploded in popularity as an antidote to high-intensity exercise.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 23, 2026

Mercy clenches her hands and she thumps the table as she agrees.

From BBC ● Nov. 9, 2023

I get tense, and my jaw clenches as I make pathetic flink sounds instead of the solid whunk that results when your hammer really connects.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 28, 2022

Then he locks his knees, points his toes, clenches his buttocks, tucks his arms into his sides, shrugs his shoulders and hurls himself toward land as fast as humanly possible.

From New York Times ● Dec. 3, 2021

He clenches the steering wheel; his veins pop up against his skin.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

Ms. Porcaroli exhibits a clenched devotion to playing her lines perfectly straight; the script would be insufferable if she tried to be cute or funny.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026

But in Monday’s game, the Sparks could only cling to the game with clenched fists as the gap widened.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026

She celebrated with a clenched fist after a ferocious smash secured a break for a 4-1 lead.

From Barron's ● Jun. 9, 2026

Bentancur celebrated winning a first-half foul after some superb defence in his own penalty area with a clenched fist before receiving a hug from Kevin Danso.

From BBC ● May 3, 2026

Fists clenched and nails biting my palms, I take a breath and try to speak slowly.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

About 40 units are needed for the masseter muscles to help soothe teeth clenching.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 1, 2026

Gardner’s on antianxiety drugs to help him function, and he’s started wearing a mouthguard at night because he’s been clenching his teeth in his sleep.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 18, 2025

Writing on Instagram, she said: "I have TMJ and wake most days with awful headaches from tension & jaw clenching."

From BBC ● Nov. 28, 2024

They’re clenching their fists while they’re watching this keynote.

From New York Times ● Jun. 14, 2024

Owen spent the longest minutes of his life clenching his stomach against the pain as George cleaned and bandaged his wounds.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz