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
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of grapple
Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Dope Thief’s Ray, for instance, grapples with a complicated relationship with his father, who was absent for much of his life.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2025
Daniela Avila, People.com, 30 May 2025
Effects on Porsche: The storied sports car maker, which was facing challenges from China and slumping demand for electric cars, now has to grapple with tariffs from the Trump administration.
—Jason Karaian, New York Times, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Noun
So, as the U.S. travel industry grapples with political and economic challenges, the landscape is shifting dramatically.
—Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Dope Thief’s Ray, for instance, grapples with a complicated relationship with his father, who was absent for much of his life.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
In the statement, Bono, 65, opens up about grappling with fame.
—Daniela Avila, People.com, 30 May 2025
Effects on Porsche: The storied sports car maker, which was facing challenges from China and slumping demand for electric cars, now has to grapple with tariffs from the Trump administration.
—Jason Karaian, New York Times, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
Noun
-
The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2025
-
Here other drivers complained about a lack of grip and sliding in the colder temperatures.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
The district developed some new policies after discovering COVID created not only bad habits but major struggles for families, including housing, employment and mental health, said Keith Oswald, chief of equity and wellness.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
5 June 2025
-
Spade's death on June 5, 2018, stunned the fashion world, highlighting the silent struggles behind one of the industry's biggest names and, along with the death of Anthony Bourdain three days later, sparked a broader conversation about mental health amidst fame and success.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
As in Denver, cities across the country are wrestling with how to restore the pre-pandemic hustle and bustle to recharge what has historically been a crucial economic engine.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
31 May 2025
-
The guards wrestle him to the ground and In-ho watches.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
Appeal To All Five Senses People still like going out, meeting others and grabbing coffee.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
Scott grabbed some pizza and returned to park her Subaru near the West Shore Market to wait for Serafini.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Catherine, at least, has a better grasp of her own heart—her own feelings—than either of these more confident and overtly clever heroines.—
Adelle Waldman,
New Yorker,
31 May 2025
-
Today, that includes developing a strong grasp of how to leverage artificial intelligence in the workplace.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Fires and recovery Crews battle fire burning in Pala, evacuations underway in northern San Diego County.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
-
Recently, a German court quietly ended a landmark legal battle that had spanned nearly a decade.—
Monica Sanders,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
Fans lined up early and made signs to catch a glimpse of the future star.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
-
Three days later, as the young boy recovers, a 17-year-old was caught and charged for the alleged shooting.—
Isabel Rivera,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
Noun
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The design will also identify when a user has been put on hold, muting the music on the other end of the line and alerting a user when a human agent has picked up the call, according to executives.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
9 June 2025
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Meanwhile, the Court of International Trade order blocking Trump’s tariffs had already been put on hold.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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