grip

verb \ ˈgrip \

|Updated on: 11 Jul 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

The homelessness crisis gripping Southern California is impossible to miss — and evokes many different emotions.

— benjamin oreskes, www.latimes.com, "Many people work hard to avoid the homeless. These volunteers embrace them," 7 June 2018
Kennedy lost weight and the ability to grip a handshake; his vocal chords were strained.

— steve brodner, Los Angeles Magazine, "Why Bobby Kennedy’s Run for President Is Still an Inspiration," 4 June 2018
The cable founder pledged to invest $3 million a month in the upstart channel while enlisting voices like Ralph Nader as commentators even if ad partners griped about the choices.

— thr staff, The Hollywood Reporter, "1980: CNN Launches, Ted Turner Says It Won't Bow to Ad Pressure," 1 June 2018
In internal emails, probation officials agreed that the program was unsuitable for offenders and griped about Warren’s sordid history.

— amy julia harris and shoshana walter, charlotteobserver, "Drug users got exploited. Disabled patients got hurt. One woman benefited from it all. | Charlotte Observer," 21 May 2018
Carter Page, the former Trump campaign adviser who the Russians deemed too stupid to make an effective spy, has been gripped with self-pity.

— isobel thompson, The Hive, "Carter Page Compares His “Torture” to John McCain and Abu Zubaydah," 11 May 2018
The straight side is slicker and won't grip as well as the wavy, more textured side.

— seventeen.com editors, Seventeen, "50 Life-Changing Prom Beauty Tips You Haven't Heard Before," 26 Jan. 2018
And going a step further, no one in the crammed crowd griped about any of the political incorrectness in Em’s older material.

— a.d. amorosi, Philly.com, "Review: Eminem's blistering headlining set at the Firefly Music Festival," 17 June 2018
The scandal over the fund gripped Malaysia and ultimately led to the election victory of an opposition bloc led by the 92-year-old Mr. Mahathir on May 9, an earthshaking event in a country that had been governed by a single coalition for decades.

— alexandra stevenson, New York Times, "Goldman Sachs Made Millions in Malaysia. Now Malaysia Wants Some Money Back.," 14 June 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

Boston has been in the grips of a heatwave for several days, and temperatures in the city rose to the 90s on Thursday.

— danny mcdonald, BostonGlobe.com, "Underground fire knocks out power for 30 utility customers in Uphams Corner," 6 July 2018
With the Philadelphia region in the sweaty grip of a heat wave, air conditioners have been running non-stop.

— staff report, Philly.com, "Tips for keeping electric bills down during heat wave," 3 July 2018
Yemen has been in the grips of a civil war since 2015.

— chris irvine, Fox News, "South Korea fearful Yemeni asylum seekers will exploit visa loophole," 28 June 2018
As of Monday morning, the Red Hen was already deep in the grip of online hysteria.

— daniel arkin /, NBC News, "This restaurant booted Sarah Sanders, then came the digital pitchforks.," 25 June 2018
Podsnaps and reverse Podsnaps are both in the grip of the same mistake.

— The Economist, "Podsnappery and its reverse," 21 June 2018
And the tires aren't the last word in grip, so cornering is more about conserving momentum and taking the optimum line.

— jonathan m. gitlin, Ars Technica, "The 2018 Honda Accord proves there’s still life in the family sedan," 15 June 2018
When Kansas City found itself in the grips of not one but two measles outbreaks in March, Tiffany Wallin, a disease investigator for the Johnson County Health Department, was working on it nearly around the clock.

— andy marso, kansascity, "Kansas City's two measles outbreaks are over. But what did they cost taxpayers?," 11 June 2018
At the time, the Salt River Valley was firmly in the grip of a nearly seven-year drought that had dried up the Salt River, severely crippled farming and forced other residents to leave the area.

— donna reiner, azcentral, "Arizona's monsoon: Pray for rain, but be thankful for dams," 9 June 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

See words that rhyme with grip Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for grip Spanish Central: Translation of grip Nglish: Translation of grip for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of grip for Arabic speakers

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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

Related Phrases

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

Definition of grip for Students

grip

Definition of grip for Students

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