clenched

clenched — 動詞

1. (past tense / past participle of 'clench') squeezed your fist, hand, jaw, or tee

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

緊握；緊咬

因情緒緊繃而把拳頭、牙關等用力閉緊

(past tense / past participle of 'clench') squeezed your fist, hand, jaw, or teeth shut as hard as you could, usually because you were angry, frightened, or trying not to give up.

例句

Aaron clenched his fists when he heard the umpire's bad call against his sister.

Aaron 聽到裁判對他妹妹做出不公的判決時，緊緊握起拳頭。

common collocation: clench + fists

Tamar clenched her jaw to stop herself from crying in front of the whole class.

Tamar 緊咬下顎，強忍著不在全班同學面前哭出來。

collocation: clench + jaw

同義詞
  • gritted (teeth)

    almost interchangeable with 'clenched the teeth' but more about pressing teeth together to bear pain or push through hardship

  • squeezed

    broader; can apply to many objects, not just body parts; lacks the angry or tense feeling

  • tightened

    softer and more general; describes any reduction in slackness, not a sudden hard close

反義詞
  • unclenched

    opened the fist or jaw again, often as a sign of relief

  • relaxed

    lost the tension; broader and less physical

文法句型

clench + body part (fist, jaw, teeth, hand)

clench + object (in your hand/fist)

用法筆記

Almost always paired with a body part (fists, hands, jaw, teeth) or with a small object held in the hand. The word carries a strong emotional charge — anger, fear, pain, determination — so a neutral 'closed' often fits better in calm contexts.

常見錯誤

❌He clenched the door shut.
✅He shut the door hard.
💡clench is for fists, jaws, teeth, or things squeezed in a hand, not for doors or lids.
❌She clenched her eyes.
✅She squeezed her eyes shut.
💡eyes are 'squeezed shut' or 'closed tightly', not clenched.