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
Steve Drummond, NPR, 9 Sep. 2025
Ghesquière said the approach stood out as fashion grapples with the advances of new technologies.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2025
The project represents a significant test case for AI technology in feature filmmaking, as the industry grapples with questions about the role of artificial intelligence in creative production.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Processing extras’ job bookings has helped give Everyset a window in to where work is now, as Hollywood grapples with major studios cutting the number of annual big theatrical bets and shortening TV episode orders from the Peak TV days of just a few years ago.
—Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025
The latter gets the first contact on the former, knocking him off balance to take the ball, but Aaronson recovers and grapples.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
In some ways, that question is secondary to the fact that Lot 49 grapples with the nature of symbology itself, and the way that symbols work in literature, which contributed to the novella as good syllabus fodder.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Global routes via the Panama Canal, meanwhile, have been disrupted by low water levels as the region grapples with severe drought.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Such work would be an important reality check as society grapples with this kind of emerging threat from AI, says Casadevall, but would be tricky to do, as it might be precluded by international treaties prohibiting the development of biological weapons.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
While Tommy grapples with his complicated family life and a still-grieving Cami settles into her new position at the company, the undercurrent of just how dangerous the oil business is can't be ignored.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
In her podcast, the high school senior grapples with her family's history and questions her own national identity.
—Steve Drummond, NPR, 9 Sep. 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 Greek financial crisis shows the need for reliable and independent economic data, the country’s economy and finance minister said Thursday, as the US grapples with a similar lack of confidence in government statistics.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2025
The project represents a significant test case for AI technology in feature filmmaking, as the industry grapples with questions about the role of artificial intelligence in creative production.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Processing extras’ job bookings has helped give Everyset a window in to where work is now, as Hollywood grapples with major studios cutting the number of annual big theatrical bets and shortening TV episode orders from the Peak TV days of just a few years ago.
—Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025
The latter gets the first contact on the former, knocking him off balance to take the ball, but Aaronson recovers and grapples.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
In some ways, that question is secondary to the fact that Lot 49 grapples with the nature of symbology itself, and the way that symbols work in literature, which contributed to the novella as good syllabus fodder.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Global routes via the Panama Canal, meanwhile, have been disrupted by low water levels as the region grapples with severe drought.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Such work would be an important reality check as society grapples with this kind of emerging threat from AI, says Casadevall, but would be tricky to do, as it might be precluded by international treaties prohibiting the development of biological weapons.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
While Tommy grapples with his complicated family life and a still-grieving Cami settles into her new position at the company, the undercurrent of just how dangerous the oil business is can't be ignored.
—Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapples
Noun
-
Bieber came to grips with his incoming Tommy John surgery on April 2, 2024, at T-Mobile Park.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Austin Corbett had just limped off field, watched his team nearly come all the way back from 17 points down and began coming to grips with the inevitable — but then something pushed him over the edge.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Season-long struggles; still fighting Charlotte has five games left on the schedule, starting with North Texas (6-1, 2-1 American) next Friday night on ESPN2.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Oct. 2025
-
To commemorate World Dyslexia Day, the former journalist opened up about her experience and the struggles of not being diagnosed early enough.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In London Fog, Kaszas wrestles with anxiety, explores the many modern paths to parenthood, and reflects on growing up with a single immigrant mother — all while trying not to let success change him.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
13 Oct. 2025
-
D'Vontaye Mitchell's widow still wrestles with grief In her letter, Harmon said all four men need to be held accountable in Mitchell's death and that she is still traumatized by memory of receiving the call informing her that her husband was gone.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Never one to sit idly by, Danny grabs his NYPD shield and goes bulldozing his way to the crime scene.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
-
And then Rising walks away, grabs the iPad and motions for Mayer to join him.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Hurricanes needed that to happen after the game nearly slipped out of their grasps.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Halakhic rulings on divorce, medical emergencies, or conversion involve nuance that no present-day model grasps.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The impact of geopolitics has surged, with national interests and strategic rivalries once again shaping global affairs and impacting business strategies.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
-
University of Georgia’s Sanford Stadium hedges are more than just shrubbery around a field—they're witnesses to nearly a century of rivalries, victories, and legends that have graced Dooley Field.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
An attraction catches you off guard!—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
-
One that frequently catches my attention is meaning, or purpose.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Some Virginia elections have turned into battles over which candidate will be toughest on data centers; others elections have already been lost over them.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
-
As things get predictably dark for the struggling couple – and for some unlucky flies that get to experience her rage first-hand – their battles are frequently hilarious.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grapples.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapples. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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