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
In the meantime, state officials are still grappling with what an extended shutdown would mean for SNAP recipients in their state.
—
Melina Khan, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
But Acocella shows that generosity and rigor are complementary critical tools, and that our own lives are richer for grappling with those of others.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, the central Tennessee community that is home to the plant is grappling with a wave of grief as 16 families try to make sense of the tragedy.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
The characters are diverse and multifaceted, grappling with issues like identity, faith, romantic entanglements and more.
—Deena Elgenaidi, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grappling
Melina Khan, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
But Acocella shows that generosity and rigor are complementary critical tools, and that our own lives are richer for grappling with those of others.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, the central Tennessee community that is home to the plant is grappling with a wave of grief as 16 families try to make sense of the tragedy.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
The characters are diverse and multifaceted, grappling with issues like identity, faith, romantic entanglements and more.
—Deena Elgenaidi, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grappling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grappling
Verb
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After wrestling control of Long Island from the Dutch, British rule went mostly unchallenged for over a century before the region played host to the largest battle of the American Revolutionary War.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Oct. 2025
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One video being shared online depicts the late civil rights activist Malcolm X wrestling with MLK while making crude and offensive jokes and talking about defecating on himself.—
John Toher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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SpaceX was also famously involved in funding and operating the headline-grabbing Polaris Dawn crewed commercial mission in September 2024.—
Eric Lagatta,
AZCentral.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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This could mean opting for non-cocoa items or grabbing a treat with filler that is not 100% cocoa.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Season-long struggles; still fighting Charlotte has five games left on the schedule, starting with North Texas (6-1, 2-1 American) next Friday night on ESPN2.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Oct. 2025
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Whispers of bad blood between Brandy and Monica circulated after the song hit airwaves, fueling speculation with its narrative about them fighting over a boy.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By the end of the week, participants will be catching waves with confidence.—
Essence,
Essence,
20 Oct. 2025
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Pearsall is also out, but the team has found a lot of help with Jauan Jennings and new addition Kendrick Bourne, emerging as a solid pass catching weapon.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Established in 2017 as Fosun Fashion Group, the firm planted its flag in luxury fashion, snatching up its brands in a series of acquisitions and went public in a SPAC deal in December 2022 that raised more than $150 million.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
13 Oct. 2025
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Meanwhile, the Tattu Sky Pool on level 76 will be the world’s highest infinity pool, snatching the crown from the previous award-holder, the Address Beach Resort, on the opposite end of Dubai Marina.—
Nicola Chilton,
AFAR Media,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The incidents highlight the contortions of the Taliban four years after seizing power of Afghanistan.—
NPR,
NPR,
14 Oct. 2025
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Polymarket for its part has drawn in younger users with a better platform and by seizing upon the pandemic-era gambling trend especially prevalent in Gen Z men—not to mention with a little help from a newly friendly regulatory environment.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Aces later defeated the Fever in the semifinals before capturing their third championship in four years.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
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This is a company with much in common with the tech startup sector’s approach of capturing an audience fast and mastering monetisation later.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Reconciliation is as natural as conflict — but pacifism, or being completely unwilling to defend yourself, while aiming for peace as an end, provides no means of getting there.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 Oct. 2025
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Talks between North Kansas City and the Royals to build a new ballpark there appear to be getting more serious as the mayor says the city is working out the framework of a deal.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grappling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grappling. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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