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
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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
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
Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2025
Has anyone ever seen a mummy grapple?
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2025
In June 2022, as millions of Americans were grappling with the highest gas price of their lifetimes and inflation hit a four-decade high, Biden highlighted strong gross domestic product (GDP) growth.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Noun
The collection is a welcome reminder that literature can be not only a showcase for polished, refined sentiment but also an arena in which both reader and writer grapple—with imminent challenges, with their own psyches, with the uncertainty of survival.
—Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2025
Has anyone ever seen a mummy grapple?
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
But after the first 20 minutes of Morgan grappling with her current life, Unspeakable Things pivots backward into a family album of Morgan’s past.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2025
In June 2022, as millions of Americans were grappling with the highest gas price of their lifetimes and inflation hit a four-decade high, Biden highlighted strong gross domestic product (GDP) growth.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
Noun
-
The stretchy cuffs help lock in heat, while the palm side has grip-enhancing rubber details.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
For years, 58-year-old Abel Linares watched his health slip away as kidney disease tightened its grip.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
From its beginning, the leaders of the rebellion well understood the global reach and resonance of their great struggle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The historic build-up stands in stark contrast to the United States’ own supply struggles.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Helga once wrestled down a drunk fisherman in the Café, a man of above-average size, and then threw him out like a piece of rubbish; Jens thus transfers most of his weight automatically to her; who is this kid, by the way?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Season one reportedly will be centered around DC bad guy Gorilla Grodd, who often wrestles The Flash.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
However, Cena outsmarted him by grabbing the chair, throwing it next to Dom, and pretending to be down on the mat.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Security camera footage from a nearby apartment complex showed the naked man walking across the street prior to the incident, seemingly talking to himself and grabbing a sign, per NBC 4.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Having no cool aunt of my own and no elder sisters, just teenage babysitters and camp counselors (each with their own unique but tenuous grasp on anatomy and reproductive science), the book felt warm, inviting, and—perhaps most important to my terrified, bleeding, self—safe.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
For once, that description doesn’t apply to the Panthers (5-4), but Carolina can’t let this one slip out of its grasp.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The Davidson Wildcats’ men’s basketball team hunted the three-ball early and often in the 40th edition of the battle for the Hornets’ Nest, connecting frequently on the way to a 62-55 victory over the Charlotte 49ers on Tuesday night.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Nov. 2025
-
In a battle of NFC behemoths, the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles (7-2) escaped Green Bay with a 10-7 win.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
One front-line starter that may catch the Mets' eye this offseason is Pittsburgh Pirates hurler Mitch Keller.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
At least six vehicles and three auto-rickshaws caught fire, Delhi's deputy fire chief said later, adding that the flames had been doused by firefighting teams.—
Shivam Patel,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The vacant job was initially posted, but Hutto recently sent an email to county commissioners putting the hiring for the Wilson County IT director’s position on hold until the investigation is complete.—
Andy Humbles,
Nashville Tennessean,
6 Nov. 2025
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The contingency plan says nearly all of those employees who continue to work will be paid using sources other than annual appropriations, which are on hold during the shutdown.—
The NPR Network,
NPR,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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