white-knuckling
Barely holding on
White-knuckling is gripping something so tightly from fear or tension that your knuckles turn white.
The term extends to any situation endured through sheer willpower rather than ease: She white-knuckled through the turbulence.
In recovery contexts, white-knuckling means staying sober through grim determination alone, without addressing underlying issues: He's been white-knuckling his sobriety for months.
Holding attention completely
- tensingMaking or becoming taut
- clenchingSqueezing tightly shut
- bracingRefreshingly keen or stimulating
- sweatingMoisture through pores
fearful · nervous · terrified · panicked · dreading · alarmed · apprehensive · tense
Controlling direction of movement
- grippingHolding attention completely
- swervingTurning sharply aside
- speedingExceeding posted velocity limits
- tailgatingFollowing another vehicle unsafely
icy · slippery · dangerous · hairpin · curves · cliffs · brake · accelerate
Unimpaired mental state
- abstinenceVoluntary forgoing of indulgences
- willpowerMental strength resisting impulse
- strugglingExperiencing serious difficulty
- resistingActively opposing pressure
craving · temptation · relapse · withdrawal · urges · triggers · raw · unassisted
Maintaining effort despite difficulty
- survivingRemaining alive or intact
- toleratingPermitting despite discomfort
- bearingPosture or orientation
- withstandingTolerating force or hardship
suffering · struggling · grinding · exhausting · grueling · marathon · ordeal · trial
gripping
Holding attention completely
- tensingMaking or becoming taut
- clenchingSqueezing tightly shut
- bracingRefreshingly keen or stimulating
sweating · fearful · nervous · terrified · panicked · dreading · alarmed · apprehensive · tense · stressed
steering
Controlling direction of movement
- grippingHolding attention completely
- swervingTurning sharply aside
- speedingExceeding posted velocity limits
tailgating · icy · slippery · dangerous · hairpin · curves · cliffs · brake · accelerate · skidding
sobriety
Unimpaired mental state
- abstinenceVoluntary forgoing of indulgences
- willpowerMental strength resisting impulse
- strugglingExperiencing serious difficulty
resisting · craving · temptation · relapse · withdrawal · urges · triggers · raw · unassisted · meetings
persevering
Maintaining effort despite difficulty
- survivingRemaining alive or intact
- toleratingPermitting despite discomfort
- bearingPosture or orientation
withstanding · suffering · struggling · grinding · exhausting · grueling · marathon · ordeal · trial · hardship
white-knucklingletting go
Releasing one's grasp
loose grip · releasing · unclenching · hands-off · easing up
white-knucklingserenity
Undisturbed mental quietude
equanimity · composure · calm · tranquility · at ease
white-knucklingsurrendering
Ceasing to resist
letting go · acceptance · going with the flow · coasting · rolling with the punches
white, knuckle, knuckles, knuckled, knuckling, whiter, whitest, whiten, whitens