Entry 2 senses Webster, 1913 clutches · IPA /ˈklʌt͡ʃɪz/ 01 n. the act of grasping. 1. the act of grasping. 2. control; power; -- used in the phrase in one's clutches. Same as clutch{2}. See: clutch{2} Syn. clasp, clench, clutch, grasp, grip, hold.