1
as in wrestled
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
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2
as in grabbed
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
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Recent Examples of grappled
The country has for decades grappled with complex security challenges, particularly Islamist insurgencies such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State.
—
Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
So far, Indianapolis has not seen widespread flight delays or long security lines at the airport, even as bigger cities have grappled with travel chaos.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 5 Nov. 2025
In contrast, outgoing chief Jennings has remained out of public eye in recent months as the city has grappled with these discussions.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 31 Oct. 2025
In another case, a judge has grappled with issues of parental rights.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2025
So, excited headlines about a blossoming romance between them certainly creates a narrative that distracts from all the negative news each has grappled with recently.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
The couple explored waterways in Britain and abroad while Scales grappled with her dementia.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
In those early days, even with needs piling up, wealthy donors and private foundations grappled with how to respond.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
The shutdown has compounded long-standing issues at the Federal Aviation Administration, which has grappled with significant staffing crunches for years.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
So far, Indianapolis has not seen widespread flight delays or long security lines at the airport, even as bigger cities have grappled with travel chaos.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 5 Nov. 2025
In contrast, outgoing chief Jennings has remained out of public eye in recent months as the city has grappled with these discussions.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 31 Oct. 2025
In another case, a judge has grappled with issues of parental rights.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2025
So, excited headlines about a blossoming romance between them certainly creates a narrative that distracts from all the negative news each has grappled with recently.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
The couple explored waterways in Britain and abroad while Scales grappled with her dementia.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
In those early days, even with needs piling up, wealthy donors and private foundations grappled with how to respond.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
The shutdown has compounded long-standing issues at the Federal Aviation Administration, which has grappled with significant staffing crunches for years.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grappled
Verb
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His brothers, Marcel and Anthony, wrestled at both Reavis and Oak Lawn.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
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The Frenchman wrestled an awful Alpine to 11 Q3 appearances in 2025 and brought in 100 percent of his team’s points.—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Shakarna grabbed her medication and headed to try to reach her, fearing for her life.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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But like de Blasio did 12 years earlier, Mamdani identified the growing crisis of unaffordability as the city's most pressing problem and grabbed attention − especially from the young and online − by promising to address it.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Boasting over 1,300 five-star ratings, this foldable cushion caught my attention because it can be used for lower back pain, too.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The London punk rebels seized the revolutionary spirit of 1977 with their raw manifesto The Clash, then refined their sound with the flawed Give ‘Em Enough Rope.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
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Government security forces seized 1,764 tonnes of cocaine between August 2022 and November 2024, followed by a further 601 tonnes between January and August 2025.—
Gustavo Petro,
Time,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Then Barnes snatched all three points with the latest winning goal in a Premier League game Opta has on record (since 2006-07).—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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The dictator who imprisoned and tortured Venezuelan politicians, activists, and ordinary people was snatched from his bed and put on an American plane with his wife, Cilia Flores.—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This price for the complex of 149 apartments is perched on the high side of per-unit values of South Bay residential hubs that have landed new owners lately.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
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Absent a complete screening, Jackson may not have landed on a final decision as to a plea, though the default is to plead not guilty.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Our country just invaded Venezuela and captured its president, who admittedly was a bad guy.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
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The 37-year-old mother's death was captured on multiple bystander videos.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grappled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grappled. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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