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

"One of my most frequent tics is I clench my stomach and that makes me inhale air, which means that I'm constantly bloated," Smith says.

From BBC ● Feb. 27, 2026

I felt my heart clench, because it’s like, “Oh, there she really is.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2025

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

“He’s not stupid,” I said, feeling my jaw clench as I remembered his oh so timely transfer to the mountain.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

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

It’s like the face that Dorothy makes when she clenches her eyes shut and clicks her ruby red slippers to transport herself home.

From Slate ● May 12, 2024

She clenches her fists while she sleeps, scowling with worry even while unconscious.

From New York Times ● May 10, 2024

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

From BBC ● Nov. 9, 2023

My throat clenches, and I can't even answer him.

From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon

He pressed himself against the wall, curled up and clenched his teeth.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 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

He plans to stay in Miami until Scotland knows its fate, and to pass the time in a much more pleasant way than watching other teams with clenched teeth.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 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

I slid down the flaming banister, holding tight with my blanketed elbows and legs, the wool clenched together with my teeth.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron

Bruxism is an umbrella term which groups together four different jaw movements - clenching, grinding, bracing and thrusting.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

“I’ve watched hundreds of videos get trashed because Roco’s eye was twitching wrong or his jaw wasn’t clenching or the camera didn’t go all the way to the right,” said Alimzhanov.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 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

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

From New York Times ● Jun. 14, 2024

Jake stares at his friend, clenching his jaw.

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed