What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
clenching
Example
He clenched his fists in anger. [clenched: past tense]
Example
She was clenching her teeth to control her emotions. [clenching: present participle]
squeezing
Example
She squeezed the lemon to extract the juice. [squeezed: past tense]
Example
He is squeezing the stress ball to relieve tension. [squeezing: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Squeezing is more commonly used than clenching in everyday language. Squeezing is a versatile word that can be used in different contexts, while clenching is more specific to certain situations or actions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between clenching and squeezing?
Both clenching and squeezing can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, clenching may be more commonly used in informal conversations or when describing emotional responses, while squeezing can be used in a wider range of formal and informal situations.