Synonyms of grapple

grapple 1 of 2

noun

ˈgra-pəl 

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

• grip
• grasp
• hold
• clench
• clasp
• leverage
• handhold
• grab
• purchase
• handgrip
• anchorage
• embrace
• footing
• foothold
• seizure
• hug
• clinch
• toehold

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• release
• relinquishment

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

• struggle
• battle
• rivalry
• duel
• contention
• warfare
• competition
• confrontation
• conflict
• match
• war
• combat
• contest
• ball game
• clash
• strife
• face-off
• tug-of-war
• sweep-stake
• showdown
• dogfight
• sweepstakes
• debate
• horse race
• quarrel
• dispute
• collision
• friction
• wrangle
• argument
• disputation
• discord
• nail-biter
• controversy
• disagreement
• row
• dissension
• dissention

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• peace
• harmony
• concord

grapple

2 of 2

verb

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

• wrestle
• fight
• brawl
• tussle
• combat
• contend
• rassle
• battle
• scuffle
• hit
• war (against)
• duel
• punch
• strike
• clash (with)
• box
• spar
• slug
• skirmish
• bash
• buffet
• batter
• beat

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

• grab
• catch
• snatch
• seize
• capture
• get
• land
• trap
• snag
• hook
• nab
• snare
• corral
• net
• nail
• take hold (of)
• rap
• cop
• rope
• snap (up)
• bag
• nobble
• grasp
• collar
• glom
• lasso
• hold
• apprehend
• clutch
• detain
• fist
• grip
• glove
• arrest
• secure
• entangle
• enmesh
• ensnare
• latch (on or onto)
• wrest
• fasten (on)
• bay
• clasp
• entrap
• corner
• rend
• kidnap
• mesh
• abduct
• spirit (away or off)
• halter
• immesh

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• liberate
• release
• discharge
• free
• drop
• loosen
• unhand

Examples of grapple in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Rivero said being able to impose larger fines is important as California grapples with the effects of climate change on water supplies. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024

The 2012 book is a meditation on grief as Didion grapples with the death of her daughter, Quintana Roo. —Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2024

Verb

Paramore’s Hayley Williams opened up about the difficult process of parsing her own mental health struggles, and the need for greater resources and support systems for those grappling with similar issues, in a new note for World Mental Health Day. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2024

Despite the backlash against #MeToo, this is an area where the movement’s impact has stuck: Boards now grapple with the question of what consent really means when there’s an innate imbalance of power. —Beth Kowitt, The Mercury News, 9 Oct. 2024

Phrases Containing grapple

• grapple (with)