| Main Entry: | |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | grab tightly |
| Synonyms: | attack, bear hug, buckle, clamp, clinch, clip, clutch, coll, concatenate, connect, embrace, enfold, fasten, glom onto, grapple, grasp, grip, hold, hug, pin, press, seize, snatch, squeeze, take |
| Antonyms: | let go, loose |
| Main Entry: | cherish |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | care about deeply |
| Synonyms: | admire, adore, appreciate, apprize, care for, clasp, cleave to, cling to, coddle, comfort, cosset, cultivate, defend, dote on, embrace, encourage, enshrine, entertain, fancy, fondle, foster, guard, harbor, hold dear, hold in high esteem, honor, hug, idolize, like, love, nourish, nurse, nurture, pet, preserve, prize, revere, reverence, safeguard, shelter, shield, support, sustain, treasure, value, venerate, worship |
| Notes: | cherish means to be fond of, be attached to, while nurture means to bring up, help develop, help grow, or provide with nourishment |
| Antonyms: | abandon, denounce, forsake, not care, renounce |
| Main Entry: | clench |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | grasp |
| Synonyms: | clamp, clasp, clinch, clutch, constrict, contract, double up, draw together, grapple, grip, hold |
| Notes: | clench means to hold in a tight grasp while clinch means to settle conclusively - for example, hold a boxing opponent with one or both arms so as to prevent punches |
| Antonyms: | let go, loose, loosen, release |
| Main Entry: | clinch |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | hold securely; grab |
| Synonyms: | bolt, clamp, clasp, clench, clutch, cuddle, embrace, enfold, fasten, fix, grab hold of, grapple, grasp, grip, hug, lay hands on, make fast, nail, press, rivet, secure, seize, snatch, squeeze |
| Notes: | clench means to hold in a tight grasp while clinch means to settle conclusively - for example, hold a boxing opponent with one or both arms so as to prevent punches |
| Antonyms: | let go |
| Main Entry: | cling |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | attach to |
| Synonyms: | adhere, be true to, cherish, clasp, cleave to, clutch, cohere, continue, embrace, endure, fasten, freeze to, grasp, grip, hang in, hang onto, hold fast, hug, last, linger, squeeze, stay put, stick, stick like glue |
| Antonyms: | detach, let go, unfasten |
| Main Entry: | clutch |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | grab, snatch |
| Synonyms: | catch, cherish, clasp, clench, clinch, cling to, collar, embrace, fasten, glom, grapple, grasp, grip, harbor, hold, hook, keep, nab, nail, put the snare on, seize, snag, snatch, take |
| Antonyms: | let go, unfasten |
| Main Entry: | couple |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | join two things |
| Synonyms: | bracket, bring together, buckle, clasp, coalesce, cohabit, come together, conjoin, conjugate, connect, copulate, harness, hitch, hook up, link, marry, match, pair, unite, wed, yoke |
| Antonyms: | disconnect, disjoin, divide, separate, unbuckle, uncouple |
| Main Entry: | cramp |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | hinder, restrain |
| Synonyms: | bottle up, box up, check, circumscribe, clamp, clasp, clog, confine, constrain, coop up, encumber, fasten, grip, hamper, hamstring, handicap, impede, inhibit, limit, object, obstruct, restrict, shackle, stymie, thwart |
| Antonyms: | allow, let go, release |
| Main Entry: | cuddle |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | hold fondly, closely |
| Synonyms: | bundle, burrow, caress, clasp, cosset, curl up, dandle, embrace, enfold, feel up, fondle, huddle, hug, kiss, love, nestle, nuzzle, pet, snug, snuggle, touch |
| Antonyms: | push away |