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
Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2025
In the newest episode of Criminal Minds: Evolution, a grieving JJ (A.J. Cook) grapples with the funeral of her longtime husband Will (Josh Stewart), a staple since season 2 of the original CBS drama.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 22 May 2025
Rob Wile, NBC news, 3 July 2025
The bill’s current revisions are a relief to a sector already grappling with funding challenges, competition from China and tariff uncertainty.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Noun
Besides falling numbers of volunteers, the Dunnigan Fire Protection District grapples with high turnover.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2025
In the newest episode of Criminal Minds: Evolution, a grieving JJ (A.J. Cook) grapples with the funeral of her longtime husband Will (Josh Stewart), a staple since season 2 of the original CBS drama.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 22 May 2025
Verb
Consumers and businesses are still grappling with the uncertainty caused by Trump’s tariff policies, which are contributing to volatile economic data.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 3 July 2025
The bill’s current revisions are a relief to a sector already grappling with funding challenges, competition from China and tariff uncertainty.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
Noun
-
The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 July 2025
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The top three contributors to hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT
Updated July 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
Franklin might be the most recent honoree (beating out Curt Cignetti), but the Penn State coach’s struggles with self-editing are not specific to his dealings with Notre Dame.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
-
Ra’s faith in cosmic travel put him at odds with other prominent African American figures of the period, who saw the space race as a distraction from the more urgent struggles of the civil rights era.—
Ekow Eshun
July 11,
Literary Hub,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Two years after Nvidia Corp. made history by becoming the first chipmaker to achieve a $1 trillion market capitalization, an even more remarkable milestone is within its grasp: becoming the first company to reach $4 trillion.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
27 June 2025
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This process empowers clients to create financial plans with a complete grasp of the concept.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
Noun
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The battle will continue as Trump has blasted the mainstream media for years and signed an executive order to cut federal funding for National Public Radio and PBS, said U.S. Rep. John B. Larson of East Hartford.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
7 July 2025
-
His 2014 film The Grave tells the story of a man who hears about the discovery of a mass grave and escapes from a nursing home to confront his past on the site of the Battle of the Ebro, the longest and largest battle of the Spanish Civil War.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 July 2025
Noun
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Last month, the Fed kept interest rates on hold again after kicking of a reduction cycle in September, despite a growing number of Fed officials arguing for rate cuts.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
In April, Trump put his reciprocal tariffs on hold for 90 days while his administration engaged in trade negotiations.—
Ani Freedman,
Fortune,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
There’s been a lot of change in college football in recent years, but rivalries still form the foundation of the sport for so many fans.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
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Adding an element of controversy to what’s been an unusually friendly title rivalry, Piastri even suggested that if McLaren thought the call was unfair, the team could ask him and Norris to swap places to cancel the effect of the penalty.—
James Ellingworth,
Denver Post,
6 July 2025
Noun
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In 2025, that efficiency narrative hit center stage: the NBA Finals featured a dramatic and entertaining duel between two small market NBA teams.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
-
However, the Pirates-Brewers game features one of the best the pitchers duels of the year with Paul Skenes going up against Jacob Misiorowski.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Noun
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With the Rockies all but mathematically eliminated from postseason contention, the gears may begin to turn on a Márquez deal well before the trade deadline.—
Hunter Mulholland,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
-
King Charles’ relationship with both of his sons has been a topic of contention as people speculate about the British Royal family.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
29 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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