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 script called for her character to throw a wine glass toward Isaac’s head, escalating things into a grapple with a golf club. — Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026 Aston Villa’s grapple with underlying metrics has been under the microscope all season. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) are grappling with a rise in sentiment against Israel, with tensions promising to accelerate should voters elect a new crop of candidates in November. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2026 Why this is the case is the essential mystery geomorphologists have grappled with ever since. — Natalie Wolchover, Quanta Magazine, 10 Aug. 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
  • What to read next To have any realistic chance of seeing the northern lights during the eclipse, Earth would need to be in the grip of a severe geomagnetic storm.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Invisasox are made with a revolutionary gel heel grip mesh design that keeps the sock on better than any other no show sock -- guaranteed to stay on.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of grip
Noun
  • This is a dynastic struggle rooted in antiquated monarchical, patriarchal belief systems.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The shot that exemplified Sabalenka’s struggles occurred in the second set.
    — Lukas Weese, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of struggle
Verb
  • Likewise, and in spite of their extraordinary abilities, each of these men is also wrestling with their individual limitations in the face of such institutional depravity.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Brave Irene wrestles the dress and rides the box downhill like a sled in order to reach the duchess, who is anxiously waiting for her gown.
    — Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of wrestle
Verb
  • Profanity also grabs attention since the shock value of an F-bomb can lead to more media coverage and clips circulating on social media.
    — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Alice slowly gets Marshall to lie on the floor, grabs the bottle of whiskey, and pours it into his mouth with glee.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of grab
Noun
  • Nearly every season-three conversation between them was an argument that allowed for the actors’ grasp on these characters to shine and underlined how their bond best reflects the series’ ideas on how power corrupts.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • After securing Swift in its grasp, LINK will carefully fire its three ion thrusters, aiming to boost the observatory back to its original orbit over the course of two to three months.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of grasp
Noun
  • Four months later, my mom began a private battle against death when she was diagnosed with polio.
    — Dr. Marianne Parshley, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Following a slew of casualties (including James Norton’s Ormund Hightower) during a massive battle between the Blacks and the Greens at Tumbleton, Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) jumps to her death off screen in King’s Landing.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of battle
Verb
  • Also, after the first round, each mini-game has a separate metagame, where one or more players have a secret goal to meet without getting caught.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Many fans have been playing the game for years and aren't necessarily into a radical change on such a huge mechanic like catching passes.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of catch
Noun
  • White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said keeping gas prices low and ensuring Iran never gets a hold of a nuclear weapon are of equal importance to the president.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The favourites are West Ham United, who were relegated from the Premier League last season but kept hold of star player Jarrod Bowen.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 14 Aug. 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 17 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of grapple for Spanish Speakers

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