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
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
The matches are intense, with powerful throws and strategic grapples, and the crowd's energy adds to the electric atmosphere.
—NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
Caleb W Crowder, Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026
The next commissioner will also have to grapple with Jewish intellectuals, artists and activists like Hefets, who say that Germany’s antisemitism enforcers are suppressing Jewish voices that don’t fall in line.
—Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Noun
How One Battle After Another grapples with the best ways to wage a revolution.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
The matches are intense, with powerful throws and strategic grapples, and the crowd's energy adds to the electric atmosphere.
—NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
Any candidate who points to market-rate development as the primary solution to LA’s housing emergency is either not grappling with the data or not being straight with voters.
—Caleb W Crowder, Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026
The next commissioner will also have to grapple with Jewish intellectuals, artists and activists like Hefets, who say that Germany’s antisemitism enforcers are suppressing Jewish voices that don’t fall in line.
—Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
Noun
-
Not only did the group remain intact but their survival may have bolstered their image in Yemen and their grip on the country.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
-
This means that the hand never falsely identified a slip, and adjusted its grip only when necessary, avoiding excessive force that could damage objects.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The matchup between the two incumbent Republicans highlights a greater struggle of generational change that both parties are facing.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Mar. 2026
-
For many in the middle and lower tiers, simply staying afloat now feels like a struggle.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His villains were flamboyant, but Bruce was mournful, reluctant — no onscreen superhero has more palpably wrestled with not wanting to be a superhero.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The man who threw the device had another one on him as cops jumped on him and wrestled him to the ground.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Heo re-holstered his Taser, intending to apprehend Best by grabbing or tackling him, Prescott said.—
Kellie Love,
Hartford Courant,
9 Mar. 2026
-
While the two men struggle with the jammed backdoor, Weisz’s character tosses them both a look before rushing toward the flames to grab her unfinished manuscript, written on legal pads, and dashing out of the cabin just in time.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Undefeated UConn still has its grasp on that, though a loss in the Big East title game would open the door for the Bruins, but UCLA will be on the top line heading to Sacramento for the regional round.—
Grace Raynor,
New York Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
In this case and elsewhere, Rakoff has shown a superb grasp of technology issues.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The war inside The game was ultimately decided by the battle inside the paint as TCU’s frontline of Punch and junior center Xavier Edmonds scrapped and clawed with Kansas’ talented big men Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
-
He was involved in multiple relegation battles and believes having the right mindset is key.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This level of detail is needed for a robotic model to learn exact hand movements that cannot be caught by the standard human point of view.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Last year, Oklahoma lawmakers tried to force schools to teach debunked claims about the 2020 election -- an effort that was later put on hold by the state's Supreme Court.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Another Facebook post focused on the frustration of $100 holds placed on debit cards when paying at fuel pumps.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
