Literal meanings:
* Physical action: "He clenched his fists in anger, his knuckles turning white."
* Holding tightly: "She clenched the steering wheel as the car swerved on the icy road."
* Closing tightly: "The door was clenched shut, making it impossible to open."
Figurative meanings:
* Emotional tension: "He clenched his jaw, trying to suppress his fear."
* Determination: "She clenched her teeth and pushed through the pain."
* Holding on to something: "He clenched onto the hope of a better future."
Examples in context:
* Fear: The little boy clenched his teddy bear tight, trying to ignore the scary movie playing on TV.
* Anger: Her eyes narrowed, and she clenched her jaw, refusing to answer his question.
* Excitement: His heart clenched with anticipation as he waited for the results.
* Grief: She clenched her hand around the photograph, her tears falling freely.
Let me know if you'd like to see more examples or want me to write a sentence using "clench" in a specific context!