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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
As Maryland grapples with financial challenges, political leaders are bracing for rating agencies to potentially lower the state's top-tier bond rating.
—Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2025
Haokun Qin, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
In the new Fox version, a group of contestants will live together in a remote location, and grapple not only with dares and stunts but social-media challenges as well.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Noun
The change comes as the state grapples with budget pressure and a growing price tag for the health care expansion.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
As Maryland grapples with financial challenges, political leaders are bracing for rating agencies to potentially lower the state's top-tier bond rating.
—Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
CFOs, COOs, general counsels and heads of people at companies sponsoring dozens of work visas annually are grappling with immigration challenges.
—Haokun Qin, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
In the new Fox version, a group of contestants will live together in a remote location, and grapple not only with dares and stunts but social-media challenges as well.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
Noun
-
Hard tires last longer—saving pit stops—but have less grip, and result in slower lap times.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
27 June 2025
-
Hundreds of Iranians have been detained on political and security charges as the government works to retain its grip on power.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Even the quiet, eyebrow-raising final moments, which suggest that the struggle for economic justice and equality might be utterly pointless, feel less like a philosophy and more like a real-life capitalist desire for more, more, more.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
-
The struggle was so real that Reynolds unveiled a special musical production for McElhenney's birthday devoted to teaching fans the pronunciation of his costar's last name, enlisting the help of some of his famous friends as well as members of the club's hometown.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
Back then, traveling meant paying close attention to the roads, road signs, mile markers and more, all while wrestling with the flimsy paper map.—
Jason Foodman,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
-
Two of them wrestled on the grass, and a few climbed onto a twisted tree trunk to pose for a group photo that would be sent to the owners.—
Steve Lopez,
Mercury News,
24 June 2025
Verb
-
Now, folks heading to Shenandoah National Park or beyond can grab some gas, hit the jerky wall, nab a Dr Pepper Icee, load up on fudge, use the famously clean bathrooms, and stock up on Buc-ee’s merch before heading back out on the road.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
30 June 2025
-
My father seemed to crumple a little, shuddering, grabbing the edge of his desk to steady himself.—
Ottessa Moshfegh,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Would Haliburton be sidelined if this was January, in the dog days of a regular season grind, instead of June when a championship is within grasp?—
Shane Young,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
-
Washington realizes that Moore hasn’t even fully grown into his body yet, let alone having a full grasp of the game at this level.—
Dhani Joseph,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
That same month, Adams withdrew his candidacy for the Democratic primary, saying the legal battle had prevented him from effectively campaigning.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
25 June 2025
-
While the legal battle is ongoing, the judge's ruling is an early win for the states and a setback for the Trump administration.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
With the unlikelihood of Saudi Arabia catching any strays, WWE talent arrived in Riyadh this week with no incident.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
That unique twist is exactly what caught the attention of Quinn Cosgrove, bass player for local Kansas band The Whips.—
Ramal Nasim,
Kansas City Star,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
For now, all moves, from the subtle to the substantial, will likely remain on hold until there is resolution with Durant and the trade machinations of the Phoenix Suns.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2025
-
But with her older sister running the family’s garment business, Ana might have to stay behind and put her dreams on hold.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share