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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to address
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
a medical ethicist who grapples with extremely difficult questions all the time
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grapple
Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2025
The cancellations represent a blow to vaccination and public health efforts in the Kansas City area – and come as Kansas grapples with a measles outbreak that’s infected at least 23 people.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2025
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025
The anti-Christian bias email comes as the VA is also grappling with sweeping cuts to the agency and its workforce.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Noun
As the aviation industry grapples with environmental concerns, innovations like the BYA-1 may prove crucial in achieving zero-carbon goals by 2050.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2025
The cancellations represent a blow to vaccination and public health efforts in the Kansas City area – and come as Kansas grapples with a measles outbreak that’s infected at least 23 people.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
Dominican immigration crackdown This week, Higgins and others were grappling with another fallout of the health crisis and gang violence.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025
The anti-Christian bias email comes as the VA is also grappling with sweeping cuts to the agency and its workforce.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
Noun
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Her son sported a pair of jeans and a blue shirt, with a pair of white grip socks on his feet.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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Russia's grip on these five regions is not internationally recognized.—
Mark Weinstein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Since then Hutchinson has maintained that the murders were committed by two home invaders and that the family was killed in a struggle.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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The Tower is not always an omen of hardship and struggle.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 May 2025
Noun
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The comeback, which felt impossible a few days ago, is now within their grasp.—
Kelly Iko,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
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The New York Times’ reporting about unrest at the Justice Department over the Trump administration’s investigation of campus agitation at Columbia exemplifies perfectly how media bias distorts the public’s grasp of legal controversies.—
Andrew C. McCarthy,
National Review,
3 May 2025
Noun
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In short, Saturday's clash will bring to a head a battle between two families, two fighters caught in a war started by their fathers, and Eubank won't even have his by his side as they are still estranged.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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The Trump administration is also embroiled in a contentious legal battle regarding deportation involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Justice Department asked the high court to put on hold a ruling from a federal judge in San Francisco that kept in place Temporary Protected Status for the Venezuelans that would have otherwise expired last month.—
Time,
Time,
2 May 2025
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The short answer here is that City either need to keep hold of the vast majority of their current homegrown players, or replace all but one of them.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Orlando City and Atlanta United will meet on Saturday in a fierce rivalry MLS matchup, a game soccer fans in the U.S. won't want to miss.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
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Reflecting on their past as competing late-night talk show hosts, Leno said that the way the media portrayed their rivalry was not accurate.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Outside of two walks to Marcell Ozuna — who won an 11-pitch battle in the first inning, and a six-pitch duel in the fourth — the Braves mustered nothing until a two-out double by Austin Riley in the sixth.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
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Konsa, in the eyes of many, was fortunate on Saturday when referee Anthony Taylor awarded a free kick in his favour following a duel with Jean-Philippe Mateta during Villa’s FA Cup semi-final defeat against Crystal Palace.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Noun
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In 2023, Dutton launched himself into contention as prime minister by successfully campaigning against the government’s referendum on the Voice proposal, which included constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians.—
Hilary Whiteman and Angus Watson,
CNN Money,
3 May 2025
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The 12-year Dodger has transitioned into a journeyman to finish his career, with the Angels following a recurring trend of teams out of contention taking flyers on veterans to hope for a return of prospects at the deadline.—
Tyler Small,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
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