1
as in wrestling
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
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2
as in grabbing
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 grappling
The new season finds the group of friends, still grappling with Nick's tragic death and Ginny's pregnancy from Season 1, trading their usual vacation spots for Italy.
—
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 29 May 2026
Health teams are racing to find thousands of people who may have been exposed to the virus while also grappling with myriad challenges that make containment difficult.
—Jennifer Rigby, USA Today, 28 May 2026
In recent days, agency officials have convened hourslong meetings grappling with how to implement the six-page memo, which breaks with longstanding FDA policy requiring scientific verification of health benefits for smokers before any new products are introduced.
—Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 23 May 2026
Apartment landlords have been grappling with sluggish rent growth in recent years, as a Covid-era building boom created a glut of new supply.
—Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for grappling
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 29 May 2026
Health teams are racing to find thousands of people who may have been exposed to the virus while also grappling with myriad challenges that make containment difficult.
—Jennifer Rigby, USA Today, 28 May 2026
In recent days, agency officials have convened hourslong meetings grappling with how to implement the six-page memo, which breaks with longstanding FDA policy requiring scientific verification of health benefits for smokers before any new products are introduced.
—Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 23 May 2026
Apartment landlords have been grappling with sluggish rent growth in recent years, as a Covid-era building boom created a glut of new supply.
—Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for grappling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grappling
Verb
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Like India, Indonesia has been wrestling with a falling currency, and on May 20, the country's central bank raised its policy interest rates by a larger-than-expected 50 basis points.—
Sri Jegarajah,Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
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Doorbell video captured Friday appeared to show Hyder punching the woman, 34-year-old Cherrie Moore, in the face several times while also wrestling her to the ground.—
Jericka Duncan,
CBS News,
2 June 2026
Verb
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The best know how to play through grabbing or shoving of various degrees.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
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Wembanyama finished Game 6 with 28 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Now, Troiano said, his organization is focused on fighting bills in about a dozen states that would close party primaries to independent voters.—
Eric McDaniel,
NPR,
30 May 2026
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The Hema and Lendu ethnic groups have been fighting over land and minerals in the gold-rich province of Ituri since the Second Congo War in the late 1990s and early 2000s.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Verb
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The campaign is set on the streets of Los Angeles, catching Cameli in off-duty moments with candid, understated and personal imagery.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
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Who will emerge as new quarterback Malik Willis’ biggest pass-catching threat?—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Five people were arrested last week after a months-long investigation into a series of chain-snatching robberies in San Francisco, police said on Wednesday.—
Kassia Bonesteel,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
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All four keep impatiently cutting each other off, snatching the phone back and forth.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Survivors describe squeezing through treacherous tunnels and seizing a brief drop in water levels to walk out, as tearful scenes greeted their emergence and uncertainty lingers over the missing pair.—
Jintamas Saksornchai,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
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In recent years, the Houthis have demonstrated their ability to disrupt maritime navigation near Bab al-Mandeb by attacking, seizing and sinking vessels passing through its waters.—
CNN Staff,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Hurley has previously shared her advice for capturing the perfect bikini photo.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
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If the company wants to pay off that story, one path would be Omega finally capturing the championship before defending it against Ospreay at Wembley Stadium.—
Rob Wolkenbrod,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Best Amazon Outlet Dress Deals There’s something about summer that makes getting dressed feel dramatically easier once dresses enter the picture.—
Aashna Gheewalla,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
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However, some critics are also concerned that getting a weight loss prescription online is usually much easier than getting one through an in-person appointment.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grappling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grappling. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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