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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grapple
Jennifer Acree, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
As Central Texas grapples with one of its worst flooding disasters, which has claimed at least 110 lives and left 170 people missing, acts of courage shine through the darkness.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 9 July 2025
Jeff Kiesel, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
While Germany and greater Europe still grapple with issues of citizenship and nationalism, the building reminds its visitors of a painful past while simultaneously bringing to mind post-Cold War aspirations for political transparency and unity.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Noun
Why Esports Is Winning the Attention Game While traditional sports grapple with an aging fan base and declining engagement among younger viewers, esports is charting a different path, one that’s actively capturing the attention and loyalty of younger generations.
—Jennifer Acree, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
As Central Texas grapples with one of its worst flooding disasters, which has claimed at least 110 lives and left 170 people missing, acts of courage shine through the darkness.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 9 July 2025
Verb
Across the United States, restaurants and foodservice businesses continue to grapple with a volatile labor market.
—Jeff Kiesel, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
While Germany and greater Europe still grapple with issues of citizenship and nationalism, the building reminds its visitors of a painful past while simultaneously bringing to mind post-Cold War aspirations for political transparency and unity.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
Noun
-
With English Subtitles French maestro Claire Denis’ taut chamber piece simmers with dark secrets and emotional tensions in its portrait of a community suffocating from the relentless grip of colonialism.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
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Wednesday then rescues Pugsley as Gomez and Morticia arrive, but before the family can properly reunite, Isaac snatches Wednesday into his telekinetic grip, choking her.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The decision stems from a class action lawsuit filed during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the financial struggles of disabled individuals who lost part-time jobs.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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During an appearance on Today With Jenna & Friends, Cummings, 43, candidly joked about her experience with postpartum depression after welcoming her son Henry back in December 2023, sharing that her struggles even inspired the name of her ongoing Big Baby tour.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For an island whose economy has long wrestled with the effects and aftershocks of natural disasters, fiscal crises, and inconsistent tourism, this is a very significant boost.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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In addition to the strategic clarity for the Murdoch media empire, this deal resolved a potentially chaotic civil war that could have ensued if the siblings wrestled for control between themselves.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Video surveillance from the scene posted online by Fox 11 shows a man lingering near a doorway, quickly grabbing the gift box from a table and running out of the venue.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The owner wanted to keep the grab-and-go options previously offered in the space.—
La Risa R. Lynch,
jsonline.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Defensive back Prince Green III made the initial tackle to pop the ball out of Jordan’s grasp, then Caleb Moore recovered the ball.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
7 Sep. 2025
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The final two drops saw Lamb let a Prescott deep shot go right through his hands deep into Eagles territory just a few plays before a fourth down go-ball also fell through his leaping grasp.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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When a person is gravely ill, they’re often forced to fight two battles, one against their sickness and the other against the insurance company.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
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Looking back at Charlotte’s recent FCS opponents, dating back to 2021, the 49ers haven’t won the turnover battle in any of the four matchups, resulting in uncomfortably close games and even a lopsided loss to William & Mary in 2022.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Now, the Bears are close to catching back up, as the score is 27-24 at the time of this writing.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
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In February, more than 40 people were killed in southern Mexico when a bus traveling to Tabasco from the tourist city of Cancun hit a trailer truck and caught fire.—
Lizbeth Diaz,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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However, the federal hiring freeze imposed earlier this year put these dreams of government work on hold.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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Once there, my hold time was around three minutes.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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