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 script called for her character to throw a wine glass toward Isaac’s head, escalating things into a grapple with a golf club. — Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026

Aston Villa’s grapple with underlying metrics has been under the microscope all season. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026

Verb

The president celebrated the network’s gas prices just before the busy Fourth of July travel period as consumers were grappling with higher costs sparked by the war with Iran. — Brian Slodysko, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

Like Locke, Heartstopper — in which her character grappled with body dysphoria and its impacts on her relationship with Tao Xu (William Gao) — was Finney’s first screen role ever. — Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026

Phrases Containing grapple

• grapple (with)