Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

grapple

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of grapple

1 the act or manner of holding
  • I was simply unable to break my opponent's viselike grapple and lost the wrestling match.
Synonyms of grapple

clasp, clench, grasp, grip, handgrip, handhold, hold
Words Related to grapple

anchorage, leverage, purchase

grab, seizure

foothold, footing, toehold

clinch, embrace, hug
Near Antonyms of grapple

release, relinquishment
2 an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
  • After a grapple with his conscience, he confessed to lying.
Synonyms of grapple

ball game, battle, combat, competition, conflict, confrontation, contention, contest, dogfight, duel, face-off, match, rivalry, strife, struggle, sweepstakes (also sweep-stake), tug-of-war, war, warfare
Words Related to grapple

horse race, nail-biter

showdown

clash, collision, discord, friction

argument, controversy, debate, disagreement, disputation, dispute, dissension (also dissention), quarrel, row, wrangle
Near Antonyms of grapple

concord, harmony, peace

grapple

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of grapple

1 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 of grapple

scuffle, tussle, wrestle
Words Related to grapple

battle, clash (with), combat, contend, duel, fight, war (against)

bash, batter, beat, buffet, hit, punch, slug, strike

box, spar

brawl, skirmish
2 to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
  • A crane grappled the sunken boat and hoisted it above water.
Synonyms of grapple

bag, capture, catch, collar, cop [slang], corral, get, glom, grab, hook, land, nab, nail, net, rap, seize, snag, snap (up), snare, snatch, trap
Words Related to grapple

glove, halter, lasso, rope

apprehend, arrest, detain

bay, corner

clasp, clutch, fasten (on), fist, grasp, grip, hold, latch (on or onto), secure

rend, wrest

enmesh (also immesh), ensnare, entangle, entrap, mesh

abduct, kidnap, spirit (away or off)
Phrases Synonymous with grapple

take hold (of)
Near Antonyms of grapple

discharge, free, liberate, release

drop, loosen, unhand
Antonyms of grapple

miss

Learn More about grapple

  1. See words that rhyme with grapple Dictionary: Definition of grapple Spanish Central: Translation of grapple Nglish: Translation of grapple for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of grapple for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up grapple? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games