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

The riotous 640-page door stopper grapples with homophobia then and now, the lingering specter of colonialism, the tumult of the AIDS crisis, and frameworks of power that demand dominance or submission. — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026 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

Verb

All but four Republican senators voted against the measure, even as the GOP grapples with concerns that the conflict — and its effect on energy prices — could hinder its candidates’ chances in the midterm elections. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026 The riotous 640-page doorstopper grapples with homophobia then and now, the lingering specter of colonialism, the tumult of the AIDS crisis, and frameworks of power that demand dominance or submission. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026 Although no team walked away with either of the two grand prizes, such technologies could prove helpful as the world grapples with the growing costs of worsening wildfire disasters. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026 Michigan reported 16 cases of measles this summer as the US grapples with a series of outbreaks in other states. — CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026 Costco set purchase limits and price hikes on motor oil as the company grapples with rising prices from global energy market disruptions. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 15 Sep. 2026 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapples

Noun

While her father wanted her to get discovered, Dawson was preoccupied with a crush on one of the grips.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of grips

Noun

Based in Malibu and described as an avid surfer and skater, Gerber had opened up about his mental health struggles and drug use in recent years.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
Princess Diana’s brother Charles Spencer has compared the struggles his sister once faced with the media to issues being dealt with today by his nephew Prince Harry and Harry’s wife Meghan Markle.

— Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of struggles

Verb

But where Hwan’s Christianity is a willful, grotesque misreading of the Bible, Latif actively wrestles with his moral shortcomings.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Khrzhanovsky still wrestles with the mythology surrounding the Dau project.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of wrestles

Verb

Ryan opens it, grabs a Diet Coke and asks one of his assistants to summon a cup of ice.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Paramount grabs a distribution fee and recovers its marketing and P&A costs from ticket sales before sharing the remaining profits with Miramax.

— Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 24 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

The idea is to hold recurring shows where audiences can become invested in individual wrestlers, rivalries and stories rather than encountering lucha only at an occasional cultural festival.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
But over the years, Bird of the Year has also become known for its fiercely competitive campaigns, tongue-in-cheek rivalries and occasional controversy.

— Adam Pourahmadi, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of rivalries

Verb

The open-air lobby catches the island's ever-present breeze and looks out over all 12 acres of the beachfront property, where bridges cross a freshwater lagoon loaded with koi, cascading waterfalls, and tropical birds.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
The Knights pulled off a remarkable comeback Friday night against Homewood-Flossmoor, trailing 27-10 with under 10 minutes to go and rallying for a 38-27 victory behind two TD catches from junior tight end Desmond Gill.

— Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026