grappling

noun grap·pling \ ˈgra-p(ə-)liŋ \

Updated on: 11 Mar 2018

Definition of grappling

1 : grapnel

2 : grappling hook

Recent Examples of grappling from the Web

Against the Rangers on Feb. 18, Gostisbehere received his first fighting major for a grappling match with Pavel Buchnevich.

— sam donnellon, Philly.com, "New Flyer Johnny Oduya's arrival delayed," 28 Feb. 2018
In truly violent stories, the plot is one of grappling, and grappling with grappling.

— catherine cusick, Longreads, "An Education in Doubt," 21 Feb. 2018
Their choices — which include The New Jim Crow — reflect rich scholarship, iconoclastic ideas and a serious grappling with the roots of some of today’s most pressing issues.

— sarah begley, Time, "9 Books to Read for Black History Month, According to Scholars," 15 Feb. 2018
With all fighters having been forced to improve their wrestling, grappling and jiu-jitsu, the playing field in those techniques has leveled.

— martin rogers, USA TODAY, "Georges St-Pierre: Training with Freddie Roach 'a fighter’s fantasy'," 2 Nov. 2017
Pro wrestler Davey Boy Smith Jr. says his grappling experience helped him perform an act of heroism on Sunday in Canada.

— dan gartland, SI.com, "Davey Boy Smith Jr. Says He Saved a Suicidal Woman on a Bridge," 23 Oct. 2017
On site, the human-alien hybrids rewrite battlefield positioning with grappling hooks that pull themselves and enemies around at will.

— steven strom, Ars Technica, "XCOM 2: War of the Chosen," 6 Sep. 2017
And in this week's issue of her newsletter, Lenny Letter, the Girls creator and star reveals the latest health issue that has her grappling with a familiar insecurity: uneven skin.

— andrea park, Glamour, "Lena Dunham's Powerful Essay About Her Struggles With Rosacea Is Deeply Relatable," 22 Aug. 2017
After a half-minute of grappling, Howard was finally able to pry his hand free and speed away.

— matt wolfe, New Republic, "Why did Yousef Muslet face life in prison for an everyday gesture?," 2 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'grappling.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.