1
as in grip
the act or manner of holding
was simply unable to break my opponent's viselike grapple and lost the wrestling match
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in struggle
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
after a grapple with his conscience, he confessed to having an affair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to wrestle
to seize and attempt to unbalance one another for the purpose of achieving physical mastery
two sumo wrestlers grappling like a pair of mammoth bears
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
a crane grappled the sunken boat and hoisted it above water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grapple
Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Jan. 2026
As the entertainment industry in general and Hollywood in particular grapples with the heartbreaking deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner over the weekend, tributes to the beloved couple continue to pour in far and wide.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2025
CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Islandwide blackouts have roiled Cubans who have grappled with years of crisis, and a lack of gasoline and basic resources has crippled hospitals and slashed public transport.
—Andrea Rodríguez, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Noun
The actor quickly wrapped his legs around Fallon’s sides and pulled his body and arms into a grapple.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Jan. 2026
As the entertainment industry in general and Hollywood in particular grapples with the heartbreaking deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner over the weekend, tributes to the beloved couple continue to pour in far and wide.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2025
Verb
Island-wide blackouts have roiled Cubans already grappling with years of crisis, and lack of gasoline and basic resources has crippled hospitals and slashed public transport.
—CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Islandwide blackouts have roiled Cubans who have grappled with years of crisis, and a lack of gasoline and basic resources has crippled hospitals and slashed public transport.
—Andrea Rodríguez, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
Noun
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Iran has also moved to tighten its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy chokepoint, raising fears of prolonged disruptions to oil and gas shipments.—
Sam Stevenson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Some fans are crying their eyes violet over their disappointment, while others are begging critics to get a grip.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The ambassador, who was not identified or criminally charged, stabbed Berry during a struggle that began after the ambassador asked Berry and a teenage girl to stop vaping on a bus.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The Wolverines missed their first 11 shots from 3, finished 2 for 15 from there and won despite the struggles of its best player, Yaxel Lendeborg.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Wild video captured the moment a young fisherman plunged into pounding Southern California surf to wrestle a thrashing shark and free it from his fishing line.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
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The two major parties fight for control like petulant children wrestling over a television remote.—
Stu Strumwasser,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mornings tend to revolve around Regatta Buffet, or, for something lighter and more grab-and-go, Café Madeleine or Bahama Bagel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Feel daring, attention-grabbing and unapologetically you.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Wildly out of his depth and battling the debilitating symptoms of a late-stage brain tumor, his grasp on reality becomes increasingly precarious.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
6 Apr. 2026
-
With the title in their grasp, the Ducks have greased up their fingers, fumbling into a four-game winless slump.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Three months into faith leaders’ legal battle, they were allowed back inside the facility in February for Ash Wednesday after a court order granted limited access.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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In the midst of a restitution battle, records show that Kilpatrick is at risk of losing a home in Novi over more than $50,000 in unpaid property taxes.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Calls come in about elders caught in financial scams or elders who are sick.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The tragicomic look at two lives on hold struck a chord; its depiction of a family bickering and bantering, and of the risks of intimacy, felt specific and true.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The sustained performance demonstrates exceptional hold and continued audience demand across India and international territories.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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