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
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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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grapple
Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Four days of grapples, reversals and takedowns are on deck at Grand Casino Arena.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 2026
NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
Based on the Marvel comic Spider-Man Noir, the show stars Cage as down-on-his-luck private investigator Ben Reilly, the only superhero in 1930s New York City, who must grapple with his past life after a deeply personal tragedy.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Noun
Ritchson's 81 grapples with a severe case of survivor's guilt after watching his brother die in Afghanistan.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Four days of grapples, reversals and takedowns are on deck at Grand Casino Arena.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
The incident comes as the nation continues to grapple with the threat of political violence.
—NBC news, 26 Apr. 2026
Based on the Marvel comic Spider-Man Noir, the show stars Cage as down-on-his-luck private investigator Ben Reilly, the only superhero in 1930s New York City, who must grapple with his past life after a deeply personal tragedy.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
Noun
-
As paranoia festers and absurd regulations tighten their grip, suspicion replaces love, and truth itself begins to warp.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Either way, regulars are probably coming to grips with a glass-half-empty feeling.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In contrast to his offensive struggles, Ohtani has been dominant on the mound.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
-
But what was more surprising Monday night were Embiid’s struggles in his Sixers’ 137-98 loss to the Knicks.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
Verb
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DeKraker is headed to Minnesota and Liam Davis will wrestle at Northwestern.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
-
Bonds The bond market is still wrestling with higher energy prices.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Mikal Bridges grabbed the offensive rebound and threw it out to Jalen Brunson.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
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The director also grabbed images on the fly, using his iPhone during location scouting to get close-ups of the insects and on set during forest chases.—
Stuart Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Noun
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Many in the investment community acknowledged the loss of the wit and storytelling that were Buffett’s signature, but were also reassured by the demonstration of Abel’s firm grasp over Berkshire’s sprawling enterprise, as well as his insights into the conglomerate’s future direction.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
4 May 2026
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Learning a dozen-plus pitchers, getting a grasp on their repertoires, determining how they can best be handled and what makes each tick was a challenge, along with understanding how the Rays do things.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Voters will probably be bombarded with political ads and arguments from opposing sides as the battle intensifies.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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The Koh-i-Noor then spent 70 years in Afghanistan, where it was passed around by leaders who won bloody battles against one another.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Overall, about half of children with the disease are infected during birth, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia said, while others caught it from family members.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
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In 2023, the NCAA put in guidelines that punish athletes caught gambling on their own school, or other sports at their school, with a permanent loss of eligibility.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Black voters in Louisiana had hoped the justices would keep on hold until after the November election their decision invalidating a congressional map that includes two majority-Black districts.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
5 May 2026
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Once that narrative took hold, Game 7 felt like a formality.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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