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
Relevance
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
Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Four days of grapples, reversals and takedowns are on deck at Grand Casino Arena.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 2026
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
As Rose grapples with the gaps in her memory, the two encounter danger and violence.
—The Know, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Noun
Ritchson's 81 grapples with a severe case of survivor's guilt after watching his brother die in Afghanistan.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Four days of grapples, reversals and takedowns are on deck at Grand Casino Arena.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
Matt exited the show in 2019 while publicly grappling with addiction.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
As Rose grapples with the gaps in her memory, the two encounter danger and violence.
—The Know, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
Noun
-
India is already in the grip of a severe heatwave, and nearly 60% of its farming relies on rainfall.—
Sri Jegarajah,Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
The three Republicans vying to break Colorado Democrats’ grip on the governor’s mansion finally shared a stage Tuesday night for an hour that was light on policy but was full of questions and answers that likely have never been heard on a debate stage before.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
However the failure to reach an agreement on the 100-billion Euro ($116 billion) project, which also includes Spain, underscores the struggles Europe has faced in rebuilding its military capacity after decades of underinvestment.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Dearica Hamby had 22 points with 12 rebounds, a solid response for the veteran forward following her struggles in recent games.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Officers Coggins and Pacholsky wrestled with the man as Jeffery tried to secure the gun.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2026
-
Like India, Indonesia has been wrestling with a falling currency, and on May 20, the country's central bank raised its policy interest rates by a larger-than-expected 50 basis points.—
Sri Jegarajah,Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
There’s plenty to see and do on this one street—stop by Colonial Park Cemetery, established in 1750; the Juliet Gordon Low Birthplace Museum, honoring the founder of the Girl Scouts; then grab a bite at Marbled & Fin, where luxe appetizers and aged steaks reign supreme.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
-
After Corbin made his introduction to the Islanders as a whole back at the fire pit, Melanie was the first to grab him for a chat.—
Carolyn Burt,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Not every company burning cash has profitability in grasp.—
Rory McDonald,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
-
And now, for the Spurs, neither is their grasp of the NBA title.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Losing that battle could cost him more than $100 million, according to the Times.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
5 June 2026
-
It is embedded within the city’s historic Jackson Park, a decision that was met with legal battles as an environmental group sued the City of Chicago for allowing a private project to be built on public land.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Wait, so then why did Benji and the cameras catch him pouring whiskey into his solo cup?—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
4 June 2026
-
Owner Conner Mitchell, former manager Taylor Grant, boat owner Gilmer Grant and boat captain Cody Martin were all involved in catching local fish such as yellowtail, rockfish and Pacific tuna.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Operating companies historically produce returns of 100% to 200% over a long hold, not the 10x math venture funds often promise.—
Jasmine Wu,Deirdre Bosa,
CNBC,
8 June 2026
-
By Wednesday, the heat begins to creep back into the area, and another heatwave takes hold Thursday through the weekend with highs in the low to mid-90s.—
Andrew Kozak,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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