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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grapples
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Apr. 2026
Ritchson's 81 grapples with a severe case of survivor's guilt after watching his brother die in Afghanistan.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Four days of grapples, reversals and takedowns are on deck at Grand Casino Arena.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 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
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
Ghesquière said the approach stood out as fashion grapples with the advances of new technologies.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
Jeff Cox,hugh Leask,sean Conlon,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Havana, Cuba — CIA Director John Ratcliffe led a US delegation to Havana to meet with Cuban government officials on Thursday as the island grapples with a collapse of its energy sector amid spiraling relations with the US.
—Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
As Hollywood grapples with rapid technological change, a growing number of filmmakers and companies in Southern California are using AI tools to radically rethink how films and TV shows are made.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Amid the blossoming love between Pierre and Francis, one soldier grapples with a decision that illuminates the movie’s choice of title.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
As the White House grapples with cybersecurity threats from advanced artificial intelligence models, national security officials want more sway in AI regulation.
—Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 11 May 2026
One of the few moments where the contenders didn’t interrupt each other or throw out attack lines came when they were asked about their plans to save Hollywood, as the industry grapples with a production flight to other states and countries.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 May 2026
As Santa Clara County grapples with a $787 million dollar deficit, its healthcare system is likely to feel the brunt of a proposal that calls for slashing 464 positions countywide.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 2 May 2026
While the film grapples with Dexter’s (Sturgess) addictions and patience-testing roguishness toward her, Hathaway and director Lone Scherfig never land on a compelling reason for Emma to put up with it.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Noun
Engineers will equip it with specialized tools, including grapples, cutters, and buckets.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Apr. 2026
Ritchson's 81 grapples with a severe case of survivor's guilt after watching his brother die in Afghanistan.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Four days of grapples, reversals and takedowns are on deck at Grand Casino Arena.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 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
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
Ghesquière said the approach stood out as fashion grapples with the advances of new technologies.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
The jump in yields comes as Warsh, who was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday, grapples with an increasingly complicated inflation picture.
—Jeff Cox,hugh Leask,sean Conlon,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Havana, Cuba — CIA Director John Ratcliffe led a US delegation to Havana to meet with Cuban government officials on Thursday as the island grapples with a collapse of its energy sector amid spiraling relations with the US.
—Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
As Hollywood grapples with rapid technological change, a growing number of filmmakers and companies in Southern California are using AI tools to radically rethink how films and TV shows are made.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Amid the blossoming love between Pierre and Francis, one soldier grapples with a decision that illuminates the movie’s choice of title.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026
As the White House grapples with cybersecurity threats from advanced artificial intelligence models, national security officials want more sway in AI regulation.
—Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 11 May 2026
One of the few moments where the contenders didn’t interrupt each other or throw out attack lines came when they were asked about their plans to save Hollywood, as the industry grapples with a production flight to other states and countries.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 May 2026
As Santa Clara County grapples with a $787 million dollar deficit, its healthcare system is likely to feel the brunt of a proposal that calls for slashing 464 positions countywide.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 2 May 2026
While the film grapples with Dexter’s (Sturgess) addictions and patience-testing roguishness toward her, Hathaway and director Lone Scherfig never land on a compelling reason for Emma to put up with it.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapples
Noun
-
Hosmer’s video showed evidence the Red Sox might have been identifying pitch grips from Valdez’s glove and relaying signs to hitters when a runner was on second base.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
-
Livro and Vico have escaped the grips of the neighborhood gang and are going to work for Ivan, doing maintenance on his yacht.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Those struggles can manifest in a range of ways, McClanahan said, from finding new coping mechanisms to replace food to ongoing body image concerns, even after weight loss.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
14 May 2026
-
During the meeting, teams spoke about their struggles to support their travel to competitions.—
Katie Servas,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The Esperanza junior, who wrestles at 113 pounds, strained a knee during the Doc Buchanan tournament in Clovis in January.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
22 Apr. 2026
-
This is definitely something that every fan wrestles with.—
Dan Shanoff,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Next, Beth grabs her father's hat, perched on a stand next to the photograph.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
So, pay attention to what grabs your attention now, because the cosmos could be delivering a message through the most random interaction, TikTok scroll or overheard conversation.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Through universal intelligent manipulation, the robot autonomously plans grasps, adjusts force in real time, and navigates obstacles using seamless hand–eye coordination.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The Hurricanes needed that to happen after the game nearly slipped out of their grasps.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One of the fiercest divisional rivalries in the NFL will have a new look to it.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Cherfilus-McCormick referenced a previous interaction with Wasserman Schultz, signaling that political rivalries could intensify if both enter the race for District 20.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Power—the explosive, fast-twitch capacity that catches you mid-fall—goes first.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
15 May 2026
-
All this will come to the fore when Apple eventually sorts out its own AI strategy and catches iPhone up with other platforms.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The Alabama case is part of a broader national wave of redistricting battles.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
12 May 2026
-
In the legal battles that will follow, artificial intelligence may prove to be the sharpest tool in the courtroom.—
Philip Wang,
Time,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grapples.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapples. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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