Touching and Holding: English Vocabulary List

to seize or grab suddenly and firmly

"She clutched her purse tightly."

"The little girl clutched her favorite teddy bear tightly as she walked into the dark room alone."

to firmly hold something

"Grip the handle firmly before pulling."

"He had to grip the railing firmly to avoid falling down the steep stairs in the old building."

to grip or hold tightly with one's hand

"She clasped her hands."

"He would often clasp his hands together in prayer, seeking solace and guidance during difficult times."

to rub gently or caress an animal's fur or hair

"She stroked the cat's soft fur."

"She gently stroked the cat's soft fur to calm it down during the thunderstorm outside the window."

to stroke or caress an animal as a gesture of care or attention

"The child pets the friendly dog."

"The little boy loves to pet every dog he sees on the street even if the owner says no."

to move or play with something in a nervous or absentminded manner

"He twiddled his thumbs while waiting."

"He sat nervously in the waiting room and began to twiddle his thumbs while looking at the clock repeatedly."

to touch or handle tenderly and affectionately

"Do not fondle the museum artifacts."

"The old man fondled the antique pocket watch lovingly as he remembered his grandfather giving it to him."

to grip or hold tightly

"He clenched his fist in anger."

"He clenched his fists in anger when he heard the insult but he did not say anything back."

to take and tightly hold something

"Grasp the handle."

"He tried to grasp the slippery object, but it eluded his hold."

to tightly grip and squeeze something, particularly someone's flesh, between one's fingers

"Pinch the dough together at the edges."

"The toddler tried to pinch his older sister's arm when she refused to share her toys with him."

to skillfully control or work with information, a system, tool, etc.

"He can manipulate data."

"The politician was accused of attempting to manipulate public opinion through misleading statistics."

to bend something in a way that one part of it touches or covers another

"Fold the letter into an envelope."

"You need to fold the laundry immediately after it dries so that nothing gets wrinkled or messy."

to open or spread something out from a folded state or compact form

"Unfold the map to see the route."

"She watched in amazement as the tiny flower began to unfold its delicate petals toward the warm morning sun."

to touch or handle something in a restless, absentminded, or often playful manner

"Stop fidgeting and fiddle."

"He tends to fiddle with his pen whenever he's nervous during important meetings."

to suddenly and forcibly take hold of something

"The army seized control of the city."

"The army moved quickly to seize control of the airport before the enemy could arrive and defend it."

to give a sharp, quick squeeze or pinch

"She gave his arm a tweak."

"The mechanic made a small tweak to the engine and suddenly the car started running smoothly again without any problems."