GRAPPLES Synonyms: 135 Similar and Opposite Words

grapples 1 of 2

noun

plural of grapple

as in grips

the act or manner of holding was simply unable to break my opponent's viselike grapple and lost the wrestling match

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in struggles

an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another after a grapple with his conscience, he confessed to having an affair

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grapples

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of grapple

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

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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

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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 grapples

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

In the churning pool, Max grapples with Tom, who locks him in a stranglehold. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026 As the Middle East grapples with declining stability owing to the Iran war, cities across Asia are experiencing notable improvements driven by sustained healthcare investments. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 23 July 2026 The industry also grapples with influencers promoting unrealistic strategies, though firms like Take Profit Trader are adjusting. — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 Though distinct from Mei in his disengagement from political struggle, Chris too grapples with these questions of forever and never. — Dylan Adamson, IndieWire, 21 July 2026 Gideon said Rojas wanted to make sure that Durán, who was killed by an ICE officer on Monday, was remembered the right way as the nation grapples with two ICE shootings in less than a week. — Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 16 July 2026 The focus on those aspects of competition come amid concerns that the merger would lead to widespread layoffs as the combined company grapples with its debt burden. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 July 2026 Television City, one of the most famous studios in the entertainment industry where generations of TV shows have been created, is expected to hit the market again as its owner grapples with debt. — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026 One part of the story that the new series intentionally grapples with is the Ingalls family’s relationship with the Osage Nation, since the family is illegally living on their land. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapples

Noun

Relatedly, restitution may begin to address the pain that has become ubiquitous, an opportunity to unlatch the tentacle grips of oppression, which can be loosened through collective organizing, with something for everyone and not just a few.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
Somehow, CFMoto's managed to cram all this – as well as a heated seat and grips – into a package priced at just £8,499 (just over US$11,400) in the UK.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 July 2026

Definition of grips

Noun

This systemic difference leads to vastly higher capitalization and ticket prices on Broadway, indicating that its financial struggles will continue without significant policy intervention and public funding.

— Katie North, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
As for his personal life, Eric has been open about his struggles with substance abuse.

— Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 29 July 2026

Definition of struggles

Verb

Season 1 reportedly will be centered around DC bad guy Gorilla Grodd, who often wrestles The Flash.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 8 July 2026
Francis also wrestles occasionally for Boca Raton Championship Wrestling in South Florida and competed prior for Coastal Championship Wrestling in South and Central Florida.

— James Varsallone, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026

Definition of wrestles

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

Definition of grasps

Noun

Because the Zoroastrian group in India has stood outside the principal religious rivalries between Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs, Lenny’s household initially offers an unaligned vantage on the city’s disintegration.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
The 'Stans want to maximize trade and stay out of geopolitical rivalries.

— Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of rivalries

Noun

The organization, which is responsible for cleaning up the messes after superhero battles, has something that Jean wants locked inside a vault.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 July 2026
Boxing enthusiasts eagerly await an explosive showdown as Lamont Roach (25-1-3, 10 KOs) battles William Zepeda (33-1, 27 KOs) for the vacant WBC lightweight championship.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026