1
as in wrestling
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
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2
as in grabbing
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 grappling
The uncertainty, the fear of not being safe, the feeling of not fitting in — these are experiences many people, including those in the United States, are right now grappling with.
—
Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Across the borderland, ranchers are grappling with a similar predicament.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
This melding of past and present is meant to create a sense that this family has been grappling with insurmountable obstacles for a long time — so long, in fact, that the participants can no longer remember a period without them.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
What’s at risk in LEO Meanwhile, the International Space Station is grappling with the wear and tear that comes with age.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grappling
Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Across the borderland, ranchers are grappling with a similar predicament.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
This melding of past and present is meant to create a sense that this family has been grappling with insurmountable obstacles for a long time — so long, in fact, that the participants can no longer remember a period without them.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
What’s at risk in LEO Meanwhile, the International Space Station is grappling with the wear and tear that comes with age.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grappling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grappling
Verb
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Picnic detritus surrounds our little camp, and my two boys are wrestling not far away.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
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These encounters had convinced Beyer that many congregants were wrestling with how to square their sympathy for Jewish Israelis with the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kaufman-Renn hit his first seven shots — going 6-for-6 and grabbing five rebounds in the first half — on the way to 20 points.—
Janie McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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Agents targeted grocery stores, churches, and construction sites, smashing car windows and pulling people from vehicles or grabbing them at a hardware store parking lot.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The underlying facts of the case are still to be ruled on, but the partial ruling on Friday was a big win for immigration advocates who had been fighting to shut down the controversial site.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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The lone Republican was Merritt Farren, a 65-year-old media and technology attorney who lost his home in last year’s Palisades fire, and became an advocate while fighting State Farm’s controversial rate hike request.—
Pat Maio,
Daily News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For those who have the option, more are contemplating walking, cycling, carpooling or catching the bus or train to get some relief.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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That inspired some smirks from Boone and Tanner Swanson, the team’s director of catching.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Switching between modes is as easy as pressing a button, but testers say MC Mode is the real standout for its jaw-snatching results.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
22 Mar. 2026
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Sixth District Commissioner Donna Miller was in the latter group, successfully snatching the Democratic nomination for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Riverside County sheriff and GOP governor candidate draws heat for seizing 650,000 ballots from last November’s election, claiming possible fraud with little evidence.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Much speculation has been focused on US forces potentially seizing Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil terminal in the Persian Gulf.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Trump has repeatedly praised Rubio’s handling of Venezuela after capturing former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Mar. 2026
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As for the music video, it was filmed in a diner in Mexico City, capturing the full atmosphere of the 1950s — milkshakes included — albeit featuring dancers performing in the style of Texas norteño.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Clavicular is of course getting something in return.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
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Harbaugh is wagering that McDaniel is the key to getting Herbert over the hump.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grappling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grappling. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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