clench

nouns

a small slip noose made with seizing
clench, clinch
the act of grasping
"he released his clasp on my arm"; "he has a strong grip for an old man"; "she kept a firm hold on the railing"
clasp, clench, clutch, clutches, grasp, grip, hold

verbs

hold in a tight grasp
"clench a steering wheel"
clench, clinch
squeeze together tightly
"clench one's jaw"
clench
is a type of (narrower)
press firmly
"He squeezed my hand"
squeeze