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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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

The central bank’s tougher stance on monetary policy comes as the Fed grapples with stubborn inflation, worsened by a recent rebound in oil prices. — Jeff Cox,darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 16 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 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

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

Their lives intersect during the making of a documentary, drawing out desires and struggles each had kept hidden.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
Sitting around the fire pit, toes in the sand, the students share stories with me about the cuisine; traditional string instrument sasando, made of bamboo; and their struggles with learning to swim.

— Michelle Jana Chan, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 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

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

Without the big-picture implications, regional rivalries are more personal and emit a different type of energy — both positive and negative.

— Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
The Border War, as it was known until 2004, dates back to 1891 and features the kind of hatred and bad blood that makes college football rivalries hit differently than any other sport.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of rivalries

Noun

In 2019, Mary Max died by suicide two weeks after The New York Times published a story detailing legal battles over his work.

— BETH J. HARPAZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
Among the highest-profile battles was against USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, who had two catches on three targets for 28 yards when Moore was covering him.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026