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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of grapple
Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2025
Has anyone ever seen a mummy grapple?
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2025
In June 2022, as millions of Americans were grappling with the highest gas price of their lifetimes and inflation hit a four-decade high, Biden highlighted strong gross domestic product (GDP) growth.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Noun
The collection is a welcome reminder that literature can be not only a showcase for polished, refined sentiment but also an arena in which both reader and writer grapple—with imminent challenges, with their own psyches, with the uncertainty of survival.
—Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2025
Has anyone ever seen a mummy grapple?
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
But after the first 20 minutes of Morgan grappling with her current life, Unspeakable Things pivots backward into a family album of Morgan’s past.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2025
In June 2022, as millions of Americans were grappling with the highest gas price of their lifetimes and inflation hit a four-decade high, Biden highlighted strong gross domestic product (GDP) growth.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
Noun
-
The stretchy cuffs help lock in heat, while the palm side has grip-enhancing rubber details.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
For years, 58-year-old Abel Linares watched his health slip away as kidney disease tightened its grip.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
From its beginning, the leaders of the rebellion well understood the global reach and resonance of their great struggle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The historic build-up stands in stark contrast to the United States’ own supply struggles.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Having no cool aunt of my own and no elder sisters, just teenage babysitters and camp counselors (each with their own unique but tenuous grasp on anatomy and reproductive science), the book felt warm, inviting, and—perhaps most important to my terrified, bleeding, self—safe.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
For once, that description doesn’t apply to the Panthers (5-4), but Carolina can’t let this one slip out of its grasp.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The Davidson Wildcats’ men’s basketball team hunted the three-ball early and often in the 40th edition of the battle for the Hornets’ Nest, connecting frequently on the way to a 62-55 victory over the Charlotte 49ers on Tuesday night.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Nov. 2025
-
In a battle of NFC behemoths, the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles (7-2) escaped Green Bay with a 10-7 win.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The vacant job was initially posted, but Hutto recently sent an email to county commissioners putting the hiring for the Wilson County IT director’s position on hold until the investigation is complete.—
Andy Humbles,
Nashville Tennessean,
6 Nov. 2025
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The contingency plan says nearly all of those employees who continue to work will be paid using sources other than annual appropriations, which are on hold during the shutdown.—
The NPR Network,
NPR,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In recent decades, Thailand and Cambodia have had a complicated relationship of both cooperation and rivalry.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The Fighting Irish have absolutely dominated the rivalry in recent years, taking down the Panthers with a 58-7 final score in 2023 and a 45-3 final score in 2020.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The return from injury of Gravenberch, who won six of his eight duels, was another welcome sight, along with Alexis Mac Allister completing 90 minutes for Liverpool for the first time since April.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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Much like the classic Tom Brady-Peyton Manning duels of old, the quarterback matchup between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen — the two current MVP frontrunners — is can’t-miss television.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Eagles famously eliminated them from postseason contention last season en route to their Super Bowl LIX victory.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
But Pitts also pressed Hatton and Kashyap, on their contention that all detainees held at the San Francisco facility be certified as members of the lawsuit class regardless of how long they are held there.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
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