Synonyms of grapples

grapples 1 of 2

noun

plural of grapple

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

• grips
• grasps
• holds
• clasps
• clenches
• handholds
• grabs
• handgrips
• leverages
• purchases
• embraces
• seizures
• anchorages
• footholds
• clinches
• footings
• hugs
• toeholds

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• releases
• relinquishments

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

• struggles
• rivalries
• battles
• contentions
• duels
• conflicts
• confrontations
• matches
• competitions
• wars
• combats
• warfares
• contests
• ball games
• clashes
• strifes
• tugs-of-war
• dogfights
• showdowns
• sweepstakes
• disputes
• face-offs
• horse races
• wrangles
• quarrels
• debates
• collisions
• frictions
• controversies
• disputations
• arguments
• disagreements
• discords
• nail-biters
• rows
• dissensions

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• harmonies
• concords
• peaces

grapples

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of grapple

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

• wrestles
• fights
• tussles
• contends
• battles
• brawls
• scuffles
• combats
• rassles
• punches
• wars (against)
• hits
• duels
• strikes
• boxes
• clashes (with)
• spars
• bashes
• slugs
• buffets
• batters
• skirmishes
• beats

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

• grabs
• catches
• seizes
• captures
• lands
• snatches
• gets
• traps
• snags
• hooks
• nets
• raps
• nabs
• snares
• nails
• bags
• grasps
• gloms
• cops
• corrals
• takes hold (of)
• snaps (up)
• holds
• clutches
• collars
• ropes
• nobbles
• secures
• grips
• apprehends
• gloves
• lassos
• detains
• fists
• arrests
• enmeshes
• kidnaps
• entangles
• corners
• entraps
• clasps
• rends
• abducts
• wrests
• ensnares
• meshes
• fastens (on)
• latches (on or onto)
• bays
• spirits (away or off)
• halters

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misses
• frees
• liberates
• releases
• drops
• discharges
• loosens
• unhands

Example Sentences

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 probe comes as Washington grapples with how to deal with AI and data center development, as public backlash has become increasingly intense heading into the 2026 midterm election. — Justin Papp, CNBC, 28 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