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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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
The midterm elections could reshape Congress as lawmakers grapple with persistent inflation, high energy prices and rising fiscal debt. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026 Meanwhile, a new cohort of state and local leaders will grapple with what kind of pressure to apply on the power demands of Big Tech. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 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
  • Meanwhile, Ohio’s US Senate race also went to the Democrats, further cementing their grip on the House.
    — Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Click To Flip Over Jar openers, easy-grip utensils, and other assistive tools can make daily activities easier.
    — Health Editorial Team, HEALTH, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of grip
Noun
  • The journey from the theatrical release to The Final Cut, opening on the twenty‑fifth anniversary of the film in 2007, is akin to the struggle of historians to set the record straight.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
  • For a team that did not shy away from its Super Bowl expectations during training camp, this is the Cowboys’ chance to prove that the early season struggles were an outlier and that the plan is still in motion.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of struggle
Verb
  • Grown men clock in to work to wrestle in the sand with their friends, bond closely with their horses, and film thirst traps for social media on their lunch breaks.
    — Alessandra Schade, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026
  • But Le Mindu is hardly the only designer to have confronted his own fears of death through fashion—designers have long used this medium to wrestle with what is paradoxically both life’s only guarantee and one of its greatest mysteries.
    — Livia Caligor, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of wrestle
Verb
  • In a separate incident Sunday, Basabe flagged down police to report that a parking garage employee grabbed and threw his phone to the ground, the report shows.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Testing spoons stored in a manner where lip contact surface contamination could happen when employee grabs the spoon from container.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of grab
Noun
  • Instead of the big play the Bobcats hoped for, the ball slipped out of wide receiver Tucker Cusano’s grasp and spiraled into the air.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The government has shown no awareness or grasp of what has been happening among the youth.
    — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 27 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
  • Political reporters could sleep late, have a long lunch, even catch a movie.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • ThreadNanny Oven Liners provide a barrier between the oven bottom and potential splatter, catching debris before reaching the oven floor.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of catch
Noun
  • Only 12 of 37 Wall Street analysts rate the stock buy or strong buy, 24 call it a hold and one is at underperform, according to LSEG data.
    — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2026
  • That gave Republicans the power to solidify their hold through redistricting.
    — Carmen Russell-Sluchansky, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of hold

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Cite this Entry

“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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