grapple

1 the act or manner of holding was simply unable to break my opponent's viselike grapple and lost the wrestling match Synonyms of grapple clasp, clench, hold, grasp, grip, handgrip, handholdWords Related to grapple anchorage, leverage, purchase; grab, seizure; foothold, footing, toehold; clinch, embrace, hugNear Antonyms of grapple release, relinquishment

2 an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another after a grapple with his conscience, he confessed to having an affair Synonyms of grapple ball game, battle, combat, competition, conflict, confrontation, contention, dogfight, duel, face-off, contest, match, rivalry, strife, struggle, sweepstakes (also sweep-stake), tug-of-war, war, warfareWords Related to grapple horse race, nail-biter; showdown; clash, collision, discord, friction; argument, controversy, debate, disagreement, disputation, dispute, dissension (also dissention), quarrel, row, wrangleNear Antonyms of grapple concord, harmony, peace

1 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 of grapple wrestle, rassle, scuffle, tussleWords Related to grapple battle, clash (with), combat, contend, duel, fight, war (against); bash, batter, beat, buffet, hit, punch, slug, strike; box, spar; brawl, skirmish

2 to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly a crane grappled the sunken boat and hoisted it above water Synonyms of grapple bag, capture, collar, cop [slang], corral, get, glom, grab, catch, hook, land, nab, nail, net, nobble [British slang], rap, seize, snag, snap (up), snare, snatch, trapWords Related to grapple glove, halter, lasso, rope; apprehend, arrest, detain; bay, corner; clasp, clutch, fasten (on), fist, grasp, grip, hold, latch (on or onto), secure; rend, wrest; enmesh (also immesh), ensnare, entangle, entrap, mesh; abduct, kidnap, spirit (away or off)Near Antonyms of grapple discharge, free, liberate, release; drop, loosen, unhandAntonyms of grapple miss