(clenches, clenching, clenched)
1.
When you clench your fist or your fist clenches, you curl your fingers up tightly, usually because you are very angry.
Alex clenched her fists and gritted her teeth...
She pulled at his sleeve and he turned on her, fists clenching again before he saw who it was.
...angry protestors with clenched fists.
VERB: V n, V, V-ed
2.
When you clench your teeth or they clench, you squeeze your teeth together firmly, usually because you are angry or upset.
Patsy had to clench her jaw to suppress her anger...
Slowly, he released his breath through clenched teeth.
= grit
VERB: V n, V-ed, also V
3.
If you clench something in your hand or in your teeth, you hold it tightly with your hand or your teeth.
I clenched the arms of my chair.
= grip
VERB: V n