Select the synonym of the word "clasp" when it means to hold something tightly.

Introduction / Context:
This question asks for a synonym of "clasp". In everyday English, "clasp" can be either a noun (a fastening device) or a verb (to hold something or someone tightly). Here the options given are clearly centred on the verb meaning, so you must select the word that is closest in sense to "hold firmly".

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Word to match: "clasp".
• Options: "grip", "commute", "clemency", "acquittal".
• We assume the tested meaning is the common verb "to hold tightly".

Concept / Approach:
The best way to approach synonym questions is:

• Identify which part of speech (verb, noun, etc.) is relevant.
• Recall the core meaning of the target word.
• Eliminate options that belong to completely different semantic fields such as law or travel.

"Clasp" as a verb is often used in phrases like "to clasp someone's hand" or "to clasp a child in one's arms".

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Fix the meaning of "clasp": to hold something or someone tightly, often with the hands. Step 2: Evaluate "grip". As a verb or noun, it means to take and keep a firm hold of something. This matches the action of clasping. Step 3: Examine "commute". It means to travel regularly between home and work or to change a punishment into a less severe one. There is no relation to holding something. Step 4: Check "clemency". This is a noun meaning mercy or leniency, particularly in legal or moral contexts. Step 5: Consider "acquittal", another legal noun meaning formal finding of not guilty in a trial. Step 6: Only "grip" aligns with the physical action described by "clasp".

Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute the choices in a sentence: "She clasped his hand" becomes "She gripped his hand", which retains both meaning and tone. But "She commuted his hand", "She gave clemency to his hand", or "She acquitted his hand" are all meaningless. This confirms that "grip" is the intended synonym in this question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• commute: Relates to travel or penalty reduction; completely different semantic field.
• clemency: Abstract noun about mercy, with no physical action of holding.
• acquittal: Legal term for declaring someone not guilty, again unrelated to physical holding.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates overthink and search for secondary or rare meanings instead of using the most common sense. Others may not recognise the legal terms and mistakenly think they are closer in meaning simply because they are unfamiliar. A strong reading habit helps you accurately identify which domain a word usually belongs to, making such eliminations much faster in the exam hall.

Final Answer:
The synonym of "clasp" in the sense of holding tightly is grip.