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
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
The matches are intense, with powerful throws and strategic grapples, and the crowd's energy adds to the electric atmosphere.
—NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
Mounting economic risks Wall Street is grappling with questions over the world's oil supply as tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz stalls.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Noun
How One Battle After Another grapples with the best ways to wage a revolution.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
The matches are intense, with powerful throws and strategic grapples, and the crowd's energy adds to the electric atmosphere.
—NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
Sequoia Union is one of dozens of Bay Area school districts grappling with budget deficits and declining enrollment.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
Mounting economic risks Wall Street is grappling with questions over the world's oil supply as tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz stalls.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
Noun
-
Four-time Supermoto world champion Adrien Chareyre rode the M2 and had positive feedback on the M2's rideability and grip.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The regime survives by exporting crisis because stability and prosperity threaten its grip on power.—
Jason D. Greenblatt,
semafor.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The decline of perks, on top of teachers’ financial struggles, may be contributing to burnout at public schools.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The struggle of this transit is patience — or the lack thereof.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Kate Middleton—Catherine, Princess of Wales—has been brushing up on her own grasp of the Celtic language just in time for the patron saint’s day.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Negotiating teams don’t have to reinvent the wheel here — perhaps a bonus for US envoy Steve Witkoff, who has previously been criticized for a poor grasp of details in talks about Ukraine.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The program currently remains in another legal battle, with people able to renew their status but no new applications accepted.—
Mathew Miranda
February 26,
Sacbee.com,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The battle pitted Ellison against Netflix, the industry’s biggest and most important player.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The initiative will work with farmers licensed under the Better Cotton Initiative, which partners with small-hold farmers around the globe to produce cotton that not only supports their livelihood, but also protects nature.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Markets on Monday increased bets that the central bank will remain on hold at its March meeting and potentially into the summer, as officials weigh the competing forces of higher energy prices and uneven growth.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Does this sort of thing not allow narratives to develop, rivalries to grow, entertaining animus to fester?—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The heated rivalry between the Pentagon and Anthropic just hit a new horizon Friday.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Lightning entered on a 22-game winning streak, focused on defense and led by a senior point guard worthy of a duel against the Knights’ star point guard.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Enter James Austin Johnson who’s up for a challenge and the two engage in an accent duel in a Western-style showdown.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Zilisch fought back into contention for the win in the final stage, but his race effectively ended when he was spun again in a restart out of a caution with 16 laps to go.—
Jim Vertuno,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Zeroed in on 2026, but without losing all perspective of what should be a sustained run of contention, thanks to Maye and Mike Vrabel.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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