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
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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of grapples
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
Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, United Airlines slashed its full-year earnings outlook yesterday as the air carrier grapples with soaring fuel costs.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
Magid delivers its recommendations as TV-news grapples with some severe challenges.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
The attack claimed 168 lives, including 19 children, and left a lasting scar on families, first responders and an entire nation that still grapples with the tragedy decades later.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
Now, the spotlight swings back to Jefferson City as the Royals weigh their decision and the state grapples with a major budget shortfall.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
If selected, Schwartz would step into the role as the agency grapples with controversial policy changes under Kennedy.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
Sacramento County reported six new cases of measles Wednesday as the region grapples with an uptick in cases.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The two are close for years, particularly as Dunham grapples with public scrutiny, but their relationship grows strained as the seasons pass, especially when Konner insists that she should be paid the same salary as Dunham.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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
This enthusiasm comes even as the party grapples with record-low voter approval ratings.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, United Airlines slashed its full-year earnings outlook yesterday as the air carrier grapples with soaring fuel costs.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
Magid delivers its recommendations as TV-news grapples with some severe challenges.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
The attack claimed 168 lives, including 19 children, and left a lasting scar on families, first responders and an entire nation that still grapples with the tragedy decades later.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
Now, the spotlight swings back to Jefferson City as the Royals weigh their decision and the state grapples with a major budget shortfall.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
If selected, Schwartz would step into the role as the agency grapples with controversial policy changes under Kennedy.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
Sacramento County reported six new cases of measles Wednesday as the region grapples with an uptick in cases.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The two are close for years, particularly as Dunham grapples with public scrutiny, but their relationship grows strained as the seasons pass, especially when Konner insists that she should be paid the same salary as Dunham.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapples
Noun
-
There’s also a Frankenstein-ian level of depth and empathy to this story that really grips.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
-
What does bother me (besides the grips) is the chain noise over bumps.—
Joe Salas
April 07,
New Atlas,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Jokic contributed mightily to those struggles, going 7 for 26 from the floor as Gobert again won that individual matchup.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
-
This year that quarterback-in-waiting is Alabama’s Ty Simpson, a talented and smart player whose evaluation is complicated by injury struggles, as well as a lack of starting experience and consistency.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This is definitely something that every fan wrestles with.—
Dan Shanoff,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
At left, Nora wrestles Jefferson’s Ella Hughes during the finals of the 135-pound weight class.—
Jason Getz,
AJC.com,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ebuehi starts to drive away as the officer reaches out and grabs Ebuehi and the scooter.—
Naveen Dhaliwal,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The zookeeper grabs him and delivers the line of the year.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
-
Some may fall victim to regional political rivalries and never materialize.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
And obviously there have been some really great rivalries.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This is terrific value for the Jets — Taylor could be an instant-impact three-down weapon who catches a bunch of passes for a long time.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Lemon is highly productive (79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season) and an ace at yards after catch but would be a bit of a surprising pick at 11 because 1).—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Grandmasters chronicles the rivalries, reinventions, and personal battles shaping the modern pursuit of greatness in the game of kings.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Passages range from the creation of the world to bloody battles and apocalyptic destruction, from exhortations to love of God, neighbor and the needy to passages telling of Jesus' life, death and resurrection.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grapples.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapples. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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