grapple 1 of 2

noun

ˈgra-pəl How to pronounce grapple (audio)
Definition of grapplenext
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

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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

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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

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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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Doing so is not only a matter of altruism; the United States itself will have to grapple with migrants fleeing failing states, pandemics, and the dangers of climate change. — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026 Many before and since have grappled with the price of salvation, but rarely has such a theologically vast decision felt this intimate. — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
  1. grip
  2. struggle
  3. wrestle
  4. grab
  5. grasp
  6. battle
  7. catch
  8. hold
Noun
  • The carbon covers the grip, the thumb rest, and the soft-release button, the spots a photographer touches most.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Still, France's propensity to descend into unrest has become scarily regular, as has the inability of Macron's administration to get a grip.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of grip
Noun
  • Jurors also heard about Garza’s previous run-ins with law enforcement — and his family’s struggles to get help from the county with his mental health.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The folk tradition, especially, connected her to international Black freedom movements that emphasized labor conditions as a key part of the struggle.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of struggle
Verb
  • The novel forces readers to wrestle with the uncomfortable fact that Chrissie would rather have two dead children than one who isn’t part of the dominant class.
    — Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Authorities said another teacher threw her phone at the attacker and then tackled him and wrestled with him for control of the weapon, likely saving lives before the shooter was shot by a father who followed him into the building.
    — Gene Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of wrestle
Verb
  • Video on social media showed distressed shopkeepers begging young men to stop stealing their inventory—and those young men pushing them aside to grab shoes and food from their shelves.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • One 10-year-old girl, crying and trying to hug her father, was allegedly grabbed by the neck by law enforcement, according to the lawsuit.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of grab
Noun
  • Falcons gain possession with fumble recovery Maason Smith continued a solid game by punching out the football from the grasp of 49ers running back Kaelon Black, a fumble recovered by Gervon Dexter Sr.
    — AJC.com, AJC.com, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Both scores were a reflection of Martinez’s grasp of the game’s nuances.
    — Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of grasp
Noun
  • The leader, facing a tough re-election battle, has focused much of his campaign ahead of Tuesday’s vote on security.
    — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2026
  • By focusing on the battles fought in luxury department stores, fashion shows, high-end spas, nail salons, and the home, the film illustrated just how limited even privileged women’s options were.
    — Raymond Ang, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of battle
Verb
  • Scientists have previously speculated that a GRB would vaporize anything caught in its death rays up to 200 light-years from the source.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • On this trip, she’s been busy in the studio with Camila Cabello, but tonight she’s headed to SoFi Stadium to catch Mars’ latest tour.
    — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of catch
Noun
  • At the dock, a fish pump, which works like a giant vacuum tube, was sucking the fish out of the hold.
    — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Nearly 60% of analysts recommend Venture Global as a buy with the rest rating it a hold.
    — Spencer Kimball,Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of hold

Phrases Containing grapple

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Cite this Entry

“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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