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 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

Phrases Containing grapple

• grapple (with)