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
Job growth slowed throughout 2025 as some businesses grappled with economic uncertainty, prompting them to pull back on hiring.
—
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Jennifer Ferguson stood on the front step of her Waldo home on the south side of Kansas City Thursday and grappled with her former neighbor’s sudden place in the national spotlight.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
Lawmakers have grappled for years with how to tackle the rise of AI programs designed to turn photos of real people, including minors, into ultrarealistic nudes without their consent.
—Joseph Morton, Dallas Morning News, 7 Jan. 2026
But even with its massive margins of victory, UConn’s offense has grappled with some inconsistency in recent weeks.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2026
This year ushered in stories that ignited national conversations surrounding race, bail reform, political power and domestic terrorism – with many headlines quickly going viral online as Americans grappled with tragedy, mystery and often outrage.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
But as a young adult, Zane also grappled with his mental health.
—Brian Brant, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
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
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Jennifer Ferguson stood on the front step of her Waldo home on the south side of Kansas City Thursday and grappled with her former neighbor’s sudden place in the national spotlight.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
Lawmakers have grappled for years with how to tackle the rise of AI programs designed to turn photos of real people, including minors, into ultrarealistic nudes without their consent.
—Joseph Morton, Dallas Morning News, 7 Jan. 2026
But even with its massive margins of victory, UConn’s offense has grappled with some inconsistency in recent weeks.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2026
This year ushered in stories that ignited national conversations surrounding race, bail reform, political power and domestic terrorism – with many headlines quickly going viral online as Americans grappled with tragedy, mystery and often outrage.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
But as a young adult, Zane also grappled with his mental health.
—Brian Brant, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
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
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
-
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
-
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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