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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
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
-
For the past four years, Mr. Tay has denounced China’s tightening grip on Hong Kong and the disappearance there of democratic freedoms.—
Norimitsu Onishi,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Tower is not always an omen of hardship and struggle.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 May 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Twice, the Foxes had fourth spot in their grasp, in 2019-20 and 2020-21, only to throw it away.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Even without a cure, Turner says his grasp on life is stronger than ever.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Barner had a good rookie season and the battle between him and Arroyo will be interesting to watch.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Lorna Romero Ferguson, a Republican political strategist based in Arizona, told the Washington Examiner that both parties are still going to have to battle over redistricting efforts and keep extremist candidates from the ballot box to stay competitive after the 2030 census.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Fed officials have forecast two rate cuts this year, but some economists think the Fed will have to stay on hold.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Referrals for collection had been put on hold since March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the U.S. government also paused federal student loan payments and interest accrual as a temporary relief measure.—
ADRIANA MORGA,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
The 36-year-old deGrom, who also remains in that conversation even on the backside of his career, was almost as good in Friday’s pitcher’s duel.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The show is partially set before the events of Revenge of the Sith, which ends with Anakin’s transformation into Darth Vader after being severely injured in a lightsaber duel with Obi-Wan.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
After a brutal start to the season on the long February and March road trips against top-level competition, and despite a slew of injuries, the Huskies have put their season back together up north and played their way back into Big East and NCAA Tournament contention.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The eventual national champion Ohio State Buckeyes eliminated the Longhorns from playoff contention in January.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share