grapple

1 of 3

noun (1)

grap·​ple ˈgra-pəl 

1

a

: the act or an instance of grappling

b

: a hand-to-hand struggle

locked in a desperate grapple with his foe

c

: a contest for superiority or mastery

their grapple with tyranny

2

: an instrument for grabbing or gripping something: such as

a

: a bucket (as on an excavating machine) having hinged jaws

b

: grappling hook

grapple

2 of 3

verb

grappled; grappling ˈgra-p(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to seize with or as if with a grapple (see grapple entry 1 sense 2)

2

: to grasp with the hands : wrestle

3

: to bind closely

intransitive verb

1

: to make a ship fast with a grappling hook

2

: to begin to understand or deal with something in a direct or effective way

Officials grappled with an increase in violent crimes.

3

: to use a grapple

grappler

ˈgra-p(ə-)lər 

noun

grappler

3 of 3

noun (2)

grap·​pler ˈgrap(ə)lə(r) 

plural -s

: one that grapples: such as

a

: grapple sense 1

b

: wrestler

Synonyms of grapple

Noun (1)

• grip
• grasp
• hold

Verb

• wrestle

Examples of grapple in a Sentence

Noun (1)

was simply unable to break my opponent's viselike grapple and lost the wrestling match

after a grapple with his conscience, he confessed to having an affair

Verb

two sumo wrestlers grappling like a pair of mammoth bears

a crane grappled the sunken boat and hoisted it above water

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Its soaring, sometimes Madonna-esque dance pop grapples with love, loss, and renewal in the shadow of 2025’s Los Angeles wildfires. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026

Moreover, Hollywood unions and civic leaders have been desperate to retain productions in Los Angeles after a yearslong departure to other cities and countries and as the industry writ large grapples with AI’s impact on the production process. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026

Verb

The scandal leaves her mother grappling with her mental and physical health which forces Nina to move in with her father and his new wife. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

Essential, too, is the productive friction generated by grappling with and then mastering new knowledge. — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb

Middle English grappel grappling hook, from Old French *grappelle, diminutive of grape hook — more at grape

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for grapple

• appal
• apple
• chapel
• dapple
• pineapple

Kids Definition

grapple

1 of 2 noun

grap·​ple ˈgrap-əl 

: the act of grappling : grip, hold

grapple

2 of 2 verb

grappled; grappling ˈgrap-(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to seize or hold with or as if with a hooked instrument

2

: to seize and struggle with one another

3

: to attempt to deal

grappled with a problem

grappler

-(ə-)lər 

noun