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
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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
Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Kansas City this week confirmed the existence of a criminal investigation as City Hall grapples with speculation and fallout from revelations of a federal probe.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026
As the entertainment industry grapples with the ever-evolving reality of artificial intelligence, Charlie Puth is leaning into the future.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026
Expanding to new audiences could be critical as the industry grapples with an ongoing memory shortage that some analysts say will decimate the market for affordable laptops.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
Air carriers suspended flights to airspace in and out of the Middle East throughout the weekend as the wider region grapples with American and Israeli strikes on Iran expand the potential for a prolonged conflict.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
Andres Chait pledges continuity and a focus on students as LAUSD grapples with an FBI investigation into Alberto Carvalho.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
While the broader market grapples with streamer and pay-TV budget cuts, factual distributors are pivoting toward public broadcasters and international partnerships to keep projects viable.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Critics have questioned whether that two-year rule is too restrictive, particularly as Austin grapples with rapid growth and infrastructure needs.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 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
As the Davis Joint Unified School District grapples with declining enrollment and potential school closures, a coalition of parents is urging the district to create a community advisory committee to help guide the process.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Kansas City this week confirmed the existence of a criminal investigation as City Hall grapples with speculation and fallout from revelations of a federal probe.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026
As the entertainment industry grapples with the ever-evolving reality of artificial intelligence, Charlie Puth is leaning into the future.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026
Expanding to new audiences could be critical as the industry grapples with an ongoing memory shortage that some analysts say will decimate the market for affordable laptops.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
Air carriers suspended flights to airspace in and out of the Middle East throughout the weekend as the wider region grapples with American and Israeli strikes on Iran expand the potential for a prolonged conflict.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
Andres Chait pledges continuity and a focus on students as LAUSD grapples with an FBI investigation into Alberto Carvalho.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
While the broader market grapples with streamer and pay-TV budget cuts, factual distributors are pivoting toward public broadcasters and international partnerships to keep projects viable.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
Critics have questioned whether that two-year rule is too restrictive, particularly as Austin grapples with rapid growth and infrastructure needs.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapples
Noun
-
The hedging shears with ergonomic grips.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Rockies pitchers, especially the starters, are experimenting with new grips and new pitches this spring.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In a briefing with reporters earlier, a Meta legal spokesperson said the company didn't believe that youth mental health struggles, both broadly and with Kaley specifically, could be solved through litigation.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
-
While the film’s production struggles have come under scrutiny, the trailer gives a taster of the Saudi Arabia’s stunning backdrops as well as its cinema ambitions.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At left, Nora wrestles Jefferson’s Ella Hughes during the finals of the 135-pound weight class.—
Jason Getz,
AJC.com,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Judah Heeg, who wrestles for Lemont, and Providence’s Luke Banas both finished fourth.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Barber then grabs her firearm from her vehicle and Riley's girlfriend also retrieves an item from the vehicle, according to the complaint.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
6 Mar. 2026
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Isabelle slides off Sarah’s lap, flings the towel, pulls on her swimming mask, grabs her mom’s hand and tugs her toward the pool.—
Gerald Witt,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 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
-
Despite long-standing rivalries among senior Iranian politicians — many of whom hold powerful political positions and control significant economic resources — these factions quickly set aside their differences and pledged loyalty to him.—
Pegah Banihashemi,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
So many of these issues are driven by issues of governance, economic competition, and various regional rivalries, which sometimes play out through proxy groups.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As for the transfers, Rogers (33 catches for 441 yards in 2025) will assuredly be put to work as one of only two receivers on the team with more than three career starts.—
Manny Navarro,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Perez nearly has one of her own, but Vestal catches the flyball at the warning track.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Comfort battles formality fighting to break free.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
For example, one recent night, the room between Cardboard Corner Café and TableTop was set up for Warhammer, where enthusiasts collect, build, and paint miniatures, and fight strategic tabletop battles.—
Debra Skodack,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grapples.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapples. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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