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
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Ritchson's 81 grapples with a severe case of survivor's guilt after watching his brother die in Afghanistan.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Like many software-as-a-service companies, Salesforce is grappling with concerns that new AI tools will render its business model obsolete.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Noun
The department is sharing clips of recent incidents stemming from spring break chaos, earning hundreds of thousands of views as officials throughout the Sunshine State grapple with another year of college students descending on their city’s beaches.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Ritchson's 81 grapples with a severe case of survivor's guilt after watching his brother die in Afghanistan.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
Roaring and grunting, his body sleek with blood and sweat, Conan tussles and grapples with a series of opponents, dominating them all, while an audience of torch-wielding vulgarians shouts and howls at the pit’s lip.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Like many software-as-a-service companies, Salesforce is grappling with concerns that new AI tools will render its business model obsolete.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
Noun
-
This is a delicate and dicey subject to even bring up, since the industry right now is in the grip of multiple perceptions and anxieties about what AI portends for the future of entertainment.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
18 June 2026
-
Wider wheel positioning enhances tire grip at turn-in and cornering traction.—
Basem Wasef,
Robb Report,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Thomas, 25, has seen limited playing time this season due to some offensive struggles.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
-
Carvalho’s struggles included a three-day strike in March 2023.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
Nearly 50 years later, the IRS and courts are still wrestling with how that exception applies to modern entities, including LLCs, LLPs, and foreign partnership-like structures that were not contemplated when the rule was drafted.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
Another clip shows people wrestling and exchanging blows in knee-deep water as bystanders shout and record the chaos on their phones.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
There is an art to cutting a cantaloupe, which starts long before grabbing the knife and cutting board.—
Alexandra Frost,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
-
Schmidt can be forgiven for making this headline-grabbing prediction.—
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
Noun
-
Nothing seemed beyond his grasp.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2026
-
But there’s not a shortage of potential challengers who could step up and grab the championship from Ali’s grasp.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
After several years as an orphan, Pumphrey died in a South Caroline pine forest on August 16, 1780, in what was one of the bloodiest battles of the Revolutionary War.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
Aegon was severely injured by Aemond and Vhagar in that battle.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
If caught in a rip current, remain calm.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2026
-
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Broward County government had talked about making a bid for the building, amid the shops and restaurants of Dania Pointe, but that is unlikely to happen after leaders put that idea on hold.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
-
The judge also noted the defendant currently has an immigration hold.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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