1
as in control
the ability to direct the course of something
The team got out to a big lead and rightly assumed that victory was within their grasp.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grip
the act or manner of holding
during the roller coaster ride, my date clutched my arm with a deathlike grasp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in understanding
the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something
I think I finally have a grasp of Spanish grammar
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to understand
to have a practical understanding of
he just doesn't grasp how important it is that he call when he'll be late
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to hug
to put one's arms around and press tightly
the departing soldier grasped his children a little closer than usual
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to hold
to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms
the attendant grasped my arm and steered me towards the door
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to know
to have a clear idea of
the emergency operator finally grasped what he was trying to tell her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grasp
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
The vocals were strong throughout, but we were won over by Nat’s clear grasp of the song’s message and her ability to convey every beat without ever crossing into to theatrical territory.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 6 Oct. 2025
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
Fortunately, the peerless English gun-maker and safari outfitter Westley Richards seems to have grasped this predicament and come up with a solution.
—Air Mail, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grasp
Noun
With Jacksonville 1 yard from the end zone, Bolton alertly knocked the ball from the grasp of Trevor Lawrence as the Jaguars quarterback tried to stretch over the goal line on fourth down.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
The vocals were strong throughout, but we were won over by Nat’s clear grasp of the song’s message and her ability to convey every beat without ever crossing into to theatrical territory.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
Modeled after the proportions of an adult male hand, the DG-5F supports various grip patterns such as pinch, power, and precision grips, enabling it to handle a wide range of tasks, from delicate manipulation to firm grasping.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
Fortunately, the peerless English gun-maker and safari outfitter Westley Richards seems to have grasped this predicament and come up with a solution.
—Air Mail, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasp
Noun
-
Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Developed by AheadForm Technology, the robot offers up to 30 degrees of freedom, powered by a precise control system and an advanced AI learning algorithm.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
With a good-looking frame and lower-body athleticism, Smith does an outstanding job keeping his feet beneath him to square up defenders, extend his arms and use his grip strength to control his man.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
While these relatives possessed human-like hand proportions, their grip strength more likely resembled one of today’s great apes.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Snake wrangling requires patience, steady movements, and a deep understanding of reptile behavior.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The award recognizes filmmakers whose work has illuminated history, inspired public discourse, and deepened cultural understanding — a legacy Burns has embodied throughout his decades-long career.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Trade patterns and alliances may shift but great companies understand the importance of rotating across geographies to develop talent for leadership roles.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Lyra’s quest to understand Dust brings her into confrontation with human and other worldly forces who champion moral absolutism over imagination, ignorance over knowledge, authoritarianism over free will and cold, disinterested rationality over empathy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Encourage job hugging for the right reasons.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The new Fast & Furious coaster revved up its engines and raced around the hillside-hugging track for the first time at Universal Studios Hollywood in preparation of the 2026 debut of the new thrill ride.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But as Muttaqi went about a public relations blitz in India and held talks with Indian officials, deadly clashes erupted along the Durand Line border between Pakistan and Afghanistan in recent days.—
Happymon Jacob,
Time,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Lyon has earned the net Alex Lyon was playing his fourth game in seven days and still held steady for most of the night.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Both knew each other from their work for 100 Black Men of America, where Gatlin had been an executive before joining the Foundation.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
12 Oct. 2025
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Deborah McGregor, an Anishinaabe scholar from Whitefish River First Nation, defines and discusses the concept of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), sometimes also known as Indigenous Ecological Knowledge or Indigenous Ecological Wisdom.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Her fans started donating $13 — Swift’s favorite number — to the Monterey Bay Aquarium to show their appreciation for the singer.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Its clothing doesn’t come cheap — a nylon tunnel down hooded jacket costs $1,075 — but its investment in material innovation and appreciation of (and ability to intertwine with) modern culture has contributed to its enduring popularity.—
Steve Salter,
CNN Money,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasp. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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