grasp

1 of 2

verb

grasped; grasping; grasps

intransitive verb

: to make the motion of seizing : clutch
grasping for support

transitive verb

1
: to take or seize eagerly
grasp the opportunity for advancement
2
: to clasp or embrace especially with the fingers or arms
grasped the pen and began writing
3
: to lay hold of with the mind : comprehend
failed to grasp the danger of the situation
graspable adjective
grasper noun

grasp

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: handle
b
2
: hold, control
kept a firm grasp on the rope
3
a
: the reach of the arms
The books on the top shelf were beyond my grasp.
b
: the power of seizing and holding or attaining
success lay within their grasp
4
: mental hold or comprehension especially when broad
a remarkable grasp of the subject
Phrases
grasp at straws
: to reach for or try anything in desperation
grasp the nettle
: to act boldly
Choose the Right Synonym for grasp

take, seize, grasp, clutch, snatch, grab mean to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand.

take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

take some salad from the bowl

seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

seized the suspect

grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

grasp the handle and pull

clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

clutching her purse

snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

snatched a doughnut and ran

grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

grabbed roughly by the arm

Examples of grasp in a Sentence

Verb I grasped the end of the rope and pulled as hard as I could. I grasped the rope by its end. His arthritis is so bad he can barely grasp a pencil. Noun The author shows a weak grasp of military strategy. The books on the top shelf are just beyond my grasp. She moved the toy to within the baby's grasp. She felt the solution was within her grasp.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Most of us rolled our eyes, feeling that self-care was now another trend for celebs to grasp. Celeste Polanco, Essence, 13 Mar. 2024 By analyzing both a collection of photos and the captions that describe those photos, for example, a system can grasp the relationships between the two. Cade Metz Balazs Gardi, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024 Apollo says he has always been drawn to subjects that are hard to grasp, rather than those that feel concrete or bright. Cat Cardenas, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2024 The horrors of the trans-Atlantic slave trade are often expressed in numerical terms whose enormity can be difficult to grasp. Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2024 Kerry clearly grasps the consequences of meager climate ambitions. Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2024 Read the full Gemini Daily Horoscope Cancer (June 22 - July 22) Trying to grasp broad concepts for total comprehension? USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2024 During a presentation, audiences rarely grasp numbers at face value. Adrian Dearnell, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 To fully grasp these dynamics, additional research and funding are essential. Katie Hunt, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024
Noun
The Ghanaian American singer, raised between Atlanta, New Jersey, and Accra, has a unique grasp of many cultures, allowing for a music of osmosis that’s fluid enough to blend punk and baile funk and everything in between. The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024 Apples Never Fall has plenty to recommend it, including some fine performances and a shrewd grasp of the Delaney clan’s complicated dynamics. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024 For the past century, the British royal family has had a near-unparalleled grasp of the power of shaping public perception via images. Mia Sato, The Verge, 12 Mar. 2024 The Great Duvet Debate For years, my duvet covers could not be torn from my grasp. Nena Farrell, WIRED, 11 Mar. 2024 With a profound grasp of accounting principles and tax regulations, Certified Public Accountants are invaluable advisors for navigating financial complexities and ensuring adherence to legal standards. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 The process of assessing situations, taking the time to understand and process feelings, and choosing a proper path of action stems from a grasp of emotional literacy and development. Jazmin Towe, Parents, 27 Feb. 2024 Sent on a space walk to assess damage, Jo dislodges what appears to be the desiccated body of a woman in the suit of Russian cosmonaut, circa late 1960s, which shoots from her grasp. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2024 Almost 40 years later, Prabowo Subianto’s dream of becoming president of the fourth most populous country in the world finally appears within his grasp. Ben Bland, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grasp.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English graspen

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of grasp was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near grasp

Cite this Entry

“Grasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grasp. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

grasp

1 of 2 verb
1
: to make the motion of seizing : clutch
grasp at straws
2
: to clasp or embrace with or as if with the fingers or arms
3
: to lay hold of with the mind : comprehend
failed to grasp its importance
graspable adjective
grasper noun

grasp

2 of 2 noun
1
2
: control entry 2 sense 1, hold
land in the grasp of a tyrant
3
a
: the reach of the arms
the tree limb was beyond my grasp
b
: the power of seizing and holding
success lies within their grasp
4

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