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
Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
As Maryland grapples with financial challenges, political leaders are bracing for rating agencies to potentially lower the state's top-tier bond rating.
—Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2025
Haokun Qin, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
In the new Fox version, a group of contestants will live together in a remote location, and grapple not only with dares and stunts but social-media challenges as well.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Noun
The change comes as the state grapples with budget pressure and a growing price tag for the health care expansion.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
As Maryland grapples with financial challenges, political leaders are bracing for rating agencies to potentially lower the state's top-tier bond rating.
—Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
CFOs, COOs, general counsels and heads of people at companies sponsoring dozens of work visas annually are grappling with immigration challenges.
—Haokun Qin, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
In the new Fox version, a group of contestants will live together in a remote location, and grapple not only with dares and stunts but social-media challenges as well.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
Noun
-
Hard tires last longer—saving pit stops—but have less grip, and result in slower lap times.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
27 June 2025
-
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.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Consumers are putting values first — even at a time of economic struggle.—
Alexandra Pastore,
Footwear News,
17 June 2025
-
So are the novels, in the end, tragedies—narratives of the private toll of service in a noble struggle?—
Rav Grewal-Kök
June 16,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
Would Haliburton be sidelined if this was January, in the dog days of a regular season grind, instead of June when a championship is within grasp?—
Shane Young,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
-
Washington realizes that Moore hasn’t even fully grown into his body yet, let alone having a full grasp of the game at this level.—
Dhani Joseph,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
After a competitive bidding battle, Amazon MGM Studios has landed the package for a live-action movie revolving around the Bratz doll line with Kim Kardashian and Picturestart on board to produce.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
-
That same month, Adams withdrew his candidacy for the Democratic primary, saying the legal battle had prevented him from effectively campaigning.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
For now, all moves, from the subtle to the substantial, will likely remain on hold until there is resolution with Durant and the trade machinations of the Phoenix Suns.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2025
-
The civil suit was put on hold while the criminal trial played out, court documents show.—
Elise Hammond,
CNN Money,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
McIntyre believes their rivalry was proof that personal tension can enhance storytelling.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
The rivalry between Ingebrigtsen and Kerr has spilled into a war of words in recent years, roughly dating back to when the former claimed to have been under the weather during the 2023 world championships.—
George Ramsay,
CNN Money,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
Here, Koulibaly chips the ball towards Lodi… … and Alexander-Arnold is in position to contest the aerial duel.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
-
Pitchers Danny Wallace and Ryan Papa combined to allow just one run on six hits in the duel with Wunsch.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
15 June 2025
Noun
-
Although few would consider those players franchise-altering names, their developments were promising enough to help the Lakers retool their roster to not only entice James to go West, but build around him for one last window of contention under the Buss family’s watch.—
James Jackson,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
-
If either team were to lose this match, they would effectively be eliminated from contention after both failed to gain any points during their Gold Cup openers.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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