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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grapple
Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Jan. 2026
As the entertainment industry in general and Hollywood in particular grapples with the heartbreaking deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner over the weekend, tributes to the beloved couple continue to pour in far and wide.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2025
semafor.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The conversion also is part of a broader effort to revitalize downtown San Jose, which has grappled with high office vacancies and a slow post-pandemic recovery.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Noun
The actor quickly wrapped his legs around Fallon’s sides and pulled his body and arms into a grapple.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Jan. 2026
As the entertainment industry in general and Hollywood in particular grapples with the heartbreaking deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner over the weekend, tributes to the beloved couple continue to pour in far and wide.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2025
Verb
Senegal banned government ministers from all non-essential foreign travel, part of efforts across Africa to grapple with surging fuel prices because of the Iran war.
—semafor.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The conversion also is part of a broader effort to revitalize downtown San Jose, which has grappled with high office vacancies and a slow post-pandemic recovery.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
Noun
-
The Margrethe bowl is a timeless kitchen essential, known for its secure grip, practical pouring lip, and non-slip base.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
This is clearly a trap designed to lure out both Butcher and Starlight, the two main wild-card obstacles threatening Homelander’s grip on power.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The ambassador, who was not identified or criminally charged, stabbed Berry during a struggle that began after the ambassador asked Berry and a teenage girl to stop vaping on a bus.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The Wolverines missed their first 11 shots from 3, finished 2 for 15 from there and won despite the struggles of its best player, Yaxel Lendeborg.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Wildly out of his depth and battling the debilitating symptoms of a late-stage brain tumor, his grasp on reality becomes increasingly precarious.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
6 Apr. 2026
-
With the title in their grasp, the Ducks have greased up their fingers, fumbling into a four-game winless slump.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Battle of Kings Mountain, where the Patriots won a 1780 battle just west of Charlotte, and a recreation of British loyalist leader Maj.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In a battle for first place in the Pacific Coast League, Patel drove in five runs and scored a run to lead Irvine to an 8-2 victory over Portola.—
Martin Henderson,
Oc Register,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The tragicomic look at two lives on hold struck a chord; its depiction of a family bickering and bantering, and of the risks of intimacy, felt specific and true.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The sustained performance demonstrates exceptional hold and continued audience demand across India and international territories.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma’s coaching rivalry has had something for everyone on and off the court.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
But there were also rivalries — and who got to control a bigger share of the work was hotly contested.—
Fatma Tanis,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Rangers loss extends their losing streak to four games after a pitching duel between Jack Leiter and Chase Burns.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The duel on the mound was so-so.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran, but a two week period will allow the Agreement to be finalized and consummated.—
Sarah Dean,
NBC news,
7 Apr. 2026
-
But the current, waning season hits with a back-to-Earth thud as the Cats are eliminated from playoff contention in the brutally tough NHL East.—
Greg Cote
April 6,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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