Synonyms of grapples

grapples 1 of 2

noun

plural of grapple

1

as in grips

the act or manner of holding

was simply unable to break my opponent's viselike grapple and lost the wrestling match

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grips
• grasps
• holds
• clasps
• clenches
• handholds
• grabs
• handgrips
• leverages
• purchases
• embraces
• seizures
• anchorages
• footholds
• clinches
• footings
• hugs
• toeholds

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• releases
• relinquishments

2

as in struggles

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another

after a grapple with his conscience, he confessed to having an affair

Synonyms & Similar Words

• struggles
• rivalries
• battles
• contentions
• duels
• conflicts
• confrontations
• matches
• competitions
• wars
• combats
• warfares
• contests
• ball games
• clashes
• strifes
• tugs-of-war
• dogfights
• sweep-stake
• showdowns
• sweepstakes
• disputes
• horse races
• face-offs
• wrangles
• quarrels
• debates
• collisions
• frictions
• controversies
• disputations
• arguments
• disagreements
• discords
• nail-biters
• rows
• dissensions
• dissentions

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• harmonies
• concords
• peaces

grapples

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of grapple

1

as in wrestles

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

• wrestles
• fights
• tussles
• contends
• battles
• brawls
• scuffles
• combats
• rassles
• punches
• wars (against)
• hits
• duels
• strikes
• boxes
• clashes (with)
• spars
• bashes
• slugs
• buffets
• batters
• skirmishes
• beats

2

as in grabs

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

• grabs
• catches
• seizes
• captures
• lands
• snatches
• gets
• traps
• snags
• hooks
• nets
• raps
• nabs
• snares
• nails
• bags
• grasps
• gloms
• corrals
• cops
• takes hold (of)
• snaps (up)
• holds
• clutches
• collars
• nobbles
• ropes
• secures
• grips
• apprehends
• gloves
• lassos
• detains
• fists
• arrests
• enmeshes
• kidnaps
• entangles
• corners
• entraps
• clasps
• rends
• abducts
• wrests
• ensnares
• meshes
• fastens (on)
• latches (on or onto)
• bays
• spirits (away or off)
• halters
• immeshes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misses
• frees
• liberates
• releases
• drops
• discharges
• loosens
• unhands