TIGHTLY clasp: interlacing your fingers. e.g. lovers. grip: tightly pressing your fingers. clench: squeeze tightly usually showing anger. cling on: to hold on tightly to sb or sth and not letting go. clutch: hold sth tightly. clutches / claws: “To get into your enemy’s clutches. To fall out of a woman’s clutches. To be in sb’s clutches.” squeeze: press together.
QUICKLY grab: in a sudden, violent, selfish way. grab at: make an attempt to grab. snatch: take sth quickly and often rudely or roughly. seize: take hold of sb or sth. “Seize an opportunity. seize your property. seize control.” grasp: taking and keeping hold. pluck from/out: hold sth and pull. E.g. flowers, your hair.
MOVING IT handle: to touch, hold or move sth with your hands. fiddle with: move sth small with your hands because you’re nervous or bored. e.g. a pen. fumble with: to hold sth with your fingers or in your hand, trying to move it in some way, but doing it carelessly or with difficulty.
GENTLY nurse: carefully, gently, close to your body. hold on / hang on: hold tightly so as not to fall. cuddle: to hold sb or sth close in your arms to show love or affection.
A WEAPON OR TOOL brandish / wield: to hold sth ready to use as a weapon or a tool. e.g. a gun.