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
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025
Has anyone ever seen a mummy grapple?
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2025
In June 2022, as millions of Americans were grappling with the highest gas price of their lifetimes and inflation hit a four-decade high, Biden highlighted strong gross domestic product (GDP) growth.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Noun
The robust programming helped BIFF achieve its highest attendance in recent years, reinforcing the festival’s position as a crucial launchpad for Asian cinema even as the Korean industry grapples with unprecedented challenges.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025
Has anyone ever seen a mummy grapple?
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
But after the first 20 minutes of Morgan grappling with her current life, Unspeakable Things pivots backward into a family album of Morgan’s past.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2025
In June 2022, as millions of Americans were grappling with the highest gas price of their lifetimes and inflation hit a four-decade high, Biden highlighted strong gross domestic product (GDP) growth.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
Noun
-
The stretchy cuffs help lock in heat, while the palm side has grip-enhancing rubber details.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
For years, 58-year-old Abel Linares watched his health slip away as kidney disease tightened its grip.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
From its beginning, the leaders of the rebellion well understood the global reach and resonance of their great struggle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The historic build-up stands in stark contrast to the United States’ own supply struggles.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
There’s nothing more exhausting than wrestling a mattress pad over the corners of your mattress, but this one’s deep pockets can fit mattresses up to 16 inches thick.—
Jamie Fischer,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Agents wrestle Figueroa from the vehicle and detain her on the ground.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The woman’s mother then reportedly grabbed Crouch to keep him away from her daughter, causing Crouch to allegedly begin attacking the victim, the affidavit said.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Again, hopefully, Foxx was able to relax a little, grab some rays and just breathe.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
These roles required an adult grasp of lust and jealousy and nihilism.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
While this one never was in their grasp, the Chiefs had the requisite moments to give themselves a chance late after trailing 28-13.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
History buffs should head to Saratoga National Historic Park, which was the site of two pivotal Revolutionary War battles.—
Cat Sposato,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
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What began as a grassroots open-records request has now branched into a multifront legal battle.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But the man who caught her eye in the end was practically a stranger.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The hiring has caught the attention of the beauty world today.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The vacant job was initially posted, but Hutto recently sent an email to county commissioners putting the hiring for the Wilson County IT director’s position on hold until the investigation is complete.—
Andy Humbles,
Nashville Tennessean,
6 Nov. 2025
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The contingency plan says nearly all of those employees who continue to work will be paid using sources other than annual appropriations, which are on hold during the shutdown.—
The NPR Network,
NPR,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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