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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 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

Its soaring, sometimes Madonna-esque dance pop grapples with love, loss, and renewal in the shadow of 2025’s Los Angeles wildfires. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026 Moreover, Hollywood unions and civic leaders have been desperate to retain productions in Los Angeles after a yearslong departure to other cities and countries and as the industry writ large grapples with AI’s impact on the production process. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026 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

Verb

As California grapples with an unprecedented housing crisis — including some of the lowest homeownership rates in the nation, and increasingly older first-time buyers — lawmakers say condos cannot be ignored. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Parents, students, and educators raised concerns Wednesday night about Broward County Public Schools' proposal to close several schools as the district grapples with declining enrollment and significant funding shortfalls. — Abby Dodge, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026 Private equity fund Silver Lake plans to merge two of its software firms, as the sector grapples with AI disruption. — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026 Demand outpaces available seats As MPS grapples with declining birth rates and competition from private, choice and charter schools, district officials see the Montessori program as a way to attract and retain families. — Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 9 Sep. 2026 Moonlight follows a young African-American man who grapples with his identity and sexuality while experiencing the everyday struggles of childhood, adolescence, and burgeoning adulthood. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2026 As America grapples with physician shortages, rising healthcare costs and an epidemic of chronic disease, policymakers continue searching for ways to improve access to care. — Joel Zive, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026 The selection process — the second to be headed by the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability — is unfolding as the city grapples with an unwelcome uptick in gun violence in the waning days of summer. — Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 Although the Sacramento Valley grapples with its own groundwater challenges, growers in the Yuba-Sutter area tend to have greater access to water due to nearby rivers fed annually by rain and snowmelt. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapples

Noun

Brighton’s squad was fashioned in his image, and while new head coach Arturo Ruiz impressed during his time at Real Sociedad, getting to grips with a brand new team so close to the season’s beginning screams teething problems.

— Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
When fashion was in the grips of its growth-at-all-costs era, investors were backing buzz and brands were blowing up — but bottom lines weren’t.

— Tara Donaldson, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of grips

Noun

New quarterback Rocco Becht threw for 271 yards and four touchdowns in his debut as Penn State had two passes over 40 yards and 14 over 10 yards, a massive improvement from the struggles in previous years.

— The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
But Mora emphasizes that the largest number of drone reports come from within Mexico, particularly in the state of Sinaloa, amid the internal struggles of the powerful cartel that operates there.

— Sol Amaya, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of struggles

Verb

One year after her passing, Miquel wrestles with grief, desire, and the weight of change as the construction of a new bridge stands to open up his remote village.

— Mary Lawrence Ware, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Brave Irene wrestles the dress and rides the box downhill like a sled in order to reach the duchess, who is anxiously waiting for her gown.

— Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of wrestles

Verb

As the striker attempts to get back to his feet, albeit with a handful of the defender’s shirt, Rosario grabs Haaland’s backside.

— Sam Lee, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Innanen came up with the idea that, as Anton gets up to leave while Paul Baker and Issa make out, Paul Baker grabs his leg to keep him on the bed.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of grabs

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

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants John Harbaugh makes his Big Blue debut in one of the league’s oldest rivalries.

— Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Against a backdrop of hedonistic parties, Bonfire Night chaos, the Hampshire Hunt Ball and a turbulent Christmas, affairs unravel, alliances fracture and rivalries intensify.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of rivalries

Noun

The Wolves hadn’t won many free agent battles against big-market teams like this before.

— Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Bonino said that during their conversations Francis always encouraged her to bring forward her humanitarian battles, defending those most in need.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026