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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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
Noun
The sloptimists are betting that writing devoid of an inner purpose can rival the stuff ripped out of an author’s chest with a claw grapple. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 10 June 2026 The jump in yields comes as Warsh, who was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday, grapples with an increasingly complicated inflation picture. — Jeff Cox,hugh Leask,sean Conlon,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Verb
As local governments across America grapple with their relationships with Flock cameras, Fort Worth is set to receive an update from its police department about the powerful surveillance tools. — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026 Households are grappling with such choices amid soaring healthcare costs, in some cases forcing them to make difficult financial trade-offs during open enrollment, experts said. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 12 Oct. 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
  • Entering a closed market Mainland China has kept a tight grip on its financial sector, favoring domestic players and restricting cross-border capital flows.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Robots must control contact forces, adjust their grip, and respond to unpredictable objects.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of grip
Noun
  • Together, the songs take longtime Prine fans and new followers more deeply into his vivid approach to songwriting, which gave voice to the lives, emotions, struggles and celebrations of everyday people.
    — Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The heat is sweltering, mosquitoes buzz around the apartment and routine tasks are a constant struggle.
    — Catherine Ellis, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of struggle
Verb
  • Why attendance is the number to watch Even in a traditional school year, districts across Texas have been wrestling with chronic absenteeism since COVID-19.
    — Lina Ruiz October 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2026
  • As Grammy season comes into full swing, one of the biggest questions the Recording Academy will need to wrestle with is how to handle the current surge in popularity for country music.
    — Alan Light, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of wrestle
Verb
  • Ditto for the reinterpretation of thong sandals that grabbed attention at Givenchy and Jean Paul Gaultier, or the clear vinyl-like styles seen at Balenciaga, Chloé, Simone Rocha, Stella McCartney and Moschino, among others.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Mel Ismail, a 56-year-old father, was rescued by another surfer who just happened to show up at the beach and was willing to risk his own life by grabbing his board and heading towards the bloody water.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of grab
Noun
  • Even assistant directors need a basic grasp of AI, as gray screens marked with tracking points replace green screens.
    — Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • But within a second, Madsen spun around with the ball firmly in his grasp and found sophomore AJ Jones completely alone for a simple 7-yard completion and first down.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of grasp
Noun
  • In yet another battle between the states and social media platforms, Florida asked a state judge to order changes on Instagram and Facebook in an effort to protect young users.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
  • At the same time, Hollister was also engaged in a lengthy courtroom battle with Perry and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles over the rights to another property, a Los Feliz convent the singer hoped to turn into a private home.
    — Mickey Rapkin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of battle
Verb
  • Doechii’s latest release caught the attention of Doja Cat, who pleaded with rap fans from all walks of life to press play.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026
  • He gets caught in a rainstorm with the main character, a destitute fourth grader.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of catch
Noun
  • Of the 19 analysts covering Cboe Global Markets, just 7 have a buy on the stock, while 11 have a hold rating on it, LSEG data shows.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
  • DonnaJean Wilde made her potential record-breaking attempt at the Huntsman World Senior Games in Utah this week and completed a plank hold for five hours.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of hold

Phrases Containing grapple

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grapple
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Cite this Entry

“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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