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

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
• nail
• net
• corral
• take hold (of)
• rap
• cop
• rope
• snap (up)
• bag
• grasp
• nobble
• glom
• hold
• apprehend
• collar
• clutch
• lasso
• detain
• fist
• grip
• glove
• secure
• arrest
• entangle
• ensnare
• latch (on or onto)
• wrest
• bay
• fasten (on)
• clasp
• entrap
• corner
• rend
• mesh
• kidnap
• enmesh
• abduct
• spirit (away or off)
• halter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of grapple

Noun

The sloptimists are betting that writing devoid of an inner purpose can rival the stuff ripped out of an author’s chest with a claw grapple. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 10 June 2026

The jump in yields comes as Warsh, who was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday, grapples with an increasingly complicated inflation picture. — Jeff Cox,hugh Leask,sean Conlon,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 15 May 2026

Verb

In an interview conducted Friday by AP from outside Iran, Mohammadi said Iranians are grappling with multiple crises stemming from the war and deepening economic pressure. — Amir-Hussein Radjy, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

But his government is grappling with a weak economy, and many voters who had hoped the former corporate executive would fix that have become disillusioned with delays in implementing financial and tax reforms. — CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing grapple

• grapple (with)