clutch vs cling to

clutch is a noun but cling to is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
clutch	Yes	No	Yes	No
cling to	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, clutch and cling to are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of clutch include hold close, hold tight.

clutch (noun)	cling to (noun)
the act of grasping
a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism
a pedal or lever that engages or disengages a rotating shaft and a driving mechanism
a woman's strapless purse that is carried in the hand
a collection of things or persons to be handled together
a number of birds hatched at the same time
a tense critical situation

clutch (verb)	cling to (verb)
affect	hold firmly, usually with one's hands
take into your hands deliberately
hold firmly, usually with one's hands