grip

verb \ ˈgrip \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Examples: grip in a Sentence

Definition of grip

gripped; gripping

transitive verb

1 : to seize or hold firmly

gripped the door handle

2 : to hold the interest of strongly

a story that grips the reader

—

gripper

noun

—

grippingly

play \ˈgri-piŋ-lē\ adverb

See grip defined for English-language learners

See grip defined for kids

Examples of grip in a Sentence

The little boy gripped his mother's hand tightly.
I gripped the door handle and pulled as hard as I could.
The story really grips the reader.
The scandal has gripped the nation.

Recent Examples of grip from the Web

Back in February 1977, when Sacramento was gripped with fear of the East Area Rapist attacks, Rodney Richard Miller heard a noise in his backyard.

— sam stanton, sacbee, "He was a teen chasing a prowler in 1977. He ended up being shot by the East Area Rapist," 8 June 2018
Had Treichl become gripped by depression, as the family has contended, or was there something else?

— david usborne, Town & Country, "The Mysterious Case of the Parnham House Fire," 29 May 2018
But this country — long the poorest in the Western Hemisphere — continues to struggle, gripped by a severe housing shortage as nearly 60 percent of the population lives under a poverty line set at $2.42 per day.

— hal bernton, The Seattle Times, "Trump is telling those who fled Haiti earthquake to leave the U.S. What will they go back to?," 28 May 2018
The world's media have been gripped by the occasion, and television channels beamed the ceremony across the world.

— Anchorage Daily News, "In a union of tradition and modernity, Meghan Markle marries Prince Harry," 19 May 2018
Dozens of funerals will only add to the feeling of a land once again gripped by war.

— ilene prusher, Time, "'It Will Always Be Our Capital': A Day of Victory for Israel Is a Day of Rage in Gaza," 14 May 2018
Almost two decades ago, California was gripped by an unprecedented energy crisis, brought on by electricity shortages and widespread market manipulation.

— mark chediak, Bloomberg.com, "California Warns of a Second Energy Crisis," 3 May 2018
But Facebook has never before been gripped by a crisis on the scale of Cambridge Analytica before.

— jessica guynn, USA TODAY, "Facebook's annual conference is big test for Mark Zuckerberg," 30 Apr. 2018
There's probably a name for the sensation that grips you when that happens—a combo of gut freefall, skin chill, prickly sweat; but in this case the feeling was soured further by a dose of mortal fear.

— brad rickman, Condé Nast Traveler, "Traveling With Asthma," 17 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of grip

Middle English grippen, from Old English grippan; akin to Old English grīpan

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

grip Synonyms

Phrases

hang on to, hold on to;

grip

noun

Definition of grip

1 a : a strong or tenacious grasp

had a good grip on the tennis racket

b : strength in gripping

c : manner or style of gripping

the balanced grip of an expert golfer

2 a : a firm tenacious hold typically giving control, mastery, or understanding

has the country in his grip

b : mental grasp

can't seem to get a grip on calculus

3 : a part or device for gripping

4 : a part by which something is grasped; especially : handle

5 : suitcase

6 a : a stage worker who handles scenery, properties, or lights : stagehand

b : a technician on a motion-picture or television set who handles and maintains equipment (such as cameras and their dollies and cranes)

See grip defined for English-language learners

Examples of grip in a Sentence

His tennis instructor showed him the proper backhand grip.
a golfer with an incorrect grip
He has been doing all he can to maintain his grip on the company's finances.
I need new grips for my golf clubs.

Recent Examples of grip from the Web

At a time when the rest of the tech industry is coming to grips with the consequences of emphasizing growth at any cost, these young women are refreshingly focused on tech's powerful applications for social good.

— madeline buxton, refinery29.com, "How 3 Teenage Women Created Apps Before Finishing High School & Earned Recognition From Apple," 4 June 2018
Like a lot of people, Scottish rock band The Twilight Sad have been struggling to come to grips with the loss of Frightened Rabbit singer Scott Hutchison.

— gil kaufman, Billboard, "The Twilight Sad Pay Tribute to Frightened Rabbit's Scott Hutchison at Primavera Sound Festival: 'I Want to Do My Friend Proud'," 1 June 2018
By that point, six women had found wedding dresses and were living happily ever after, and anxiety had loosened its grip on me.

— amanda shapiro, Bon Appetit, "How Learning to Love Insomnia Finally Put Me to Sleep," 29 May 2018
No matter how firmly tree roots might be lodged, that much water may loosen their grip.

— martin weil, Washington Post, "Rainfall since May 12 climbs above 5-inch mark as trees keep toppling," 18 May 2018
However, the Redstone family’s National Amusements says the vote—in which 11 of the 14 board members not affiliated with National Amusements supported the proposal—fell short of what’s needed to loosen the controlling shareholder’s grip on CBS.

— alan murray, Fortune, "China Tactics, CBS Control, PayPal and iZettle: CEO Daily for May 18, 2018," 18 May 2018
All eyes are on whether the voting Sunday and the turnout can loosen the grip of an established political class on the country's affairs.

— Fox News, "Lebanon prepares for 1st parliament vote in 9 years," 5 May 2018
His bracing narrative, told mostly though flashbacks, never loosens its grip.

— tom nolan, WSJ, "Mysteries: Glaswegian Goons," 4 May 2018
Gaslighting is an abusive manipulation tactic meant to loosen someone’s grip on reality.

— zahra barnes, SELF, "What It's Like to Live With PTSD After Escaping Domestic Violence," 19 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of grip

see ¹grip

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

grip Synonyms

Synonyms

arm, authority, clutch, command, control, death grip, dominion, hold, mastery, power, reign, rein(s), sway;

Antonyms

impotence, impotency, powerlessness;

Near Antonyms

helplessness, weakness;

jurisdiction;

direction, management;

dominance, imperium, predominance, sovereignty (also sovranty), supremacy;

prerogative, privilege, right;

GRIP Defined for English Language Learners

grip

verb

Definition of grip for English Language Learners

: to grab or hold (something) tightly
: to get and hold the interest or attention of (someone)

grip

noun

Definition of grip for English Language Learners

: the act of grabbing or holding something
: a way or style of holding something
: power or control

GRIP Defined for Kids

grip

verb \ ˈgrip \

Definition of grip for Students

gripped; gripping

1 : to grab or hold tightly

2 : to hold the interest of

The story grips the reader.

grip

noun

Definition of grip for Students

1 : a strong grasp

2 : strength in holding : power

the grip of winter

3 : ¹understanding 1

I finally have a grip on division.

4 : self-control

Calm down and get a grip.

5 : ¹handle

Learn More about grip

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grip

Definition of grip

gripper

grippingly

Examples of grip in a Sentence

Recent Examples of grip from the Web

Origin and Etymology of grip

grip Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

grip

Definition of grip

Examples of grip in a Sentence

Recent Examples of grip from the Web

Origin and Etymology of grip

grip Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to GRIP

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GRIP Defined for English Language Learners

grip

Definition of grip for English Language Learners

grip

Definition of grip for English Language Learners

GRIP Defined for Kids

grip

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grip

Definition of grip for Students

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