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
Countries around the world are grappling with higher fuel prices as a result of the Middle East conflict.
—
Michael Considine, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
So, here was Ondaatje just writing about his day-t0-day, grappling with the intense swings of emotion any parent must reckon with as their children grow into autonomy, forever leaving behind the heartbreakingly sweet (and frequently tedious) dependences of childhood.
—Jonny Diamond, Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
Biotech investors are grappling with pressure from AI and rising competition from Chinese labs, even though firms sit on large cash reserves.
—Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
Afarideh and Ebadatdoust are now grappling with how to move forward – how to rebuild their institute, where to find the funds, and how to support their staff and students in the midst of war.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grappling
Michael Considine, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
So, here was Ondaatje just writing about his day-t0-day, grappling with the intense swings of emotion any parent must reckon with as their children grow into autonomy, forever leaving behind the heartbreakingly sweet (and frequently tedious) dependences of childhood.
—Jonny Diamond, Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
Biotech investors are grappling with pressure from AI and rising competition from Chinese labs, even though firms sit on large cash reserves.
—Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
Afarideh and Ebadatdoust are now grappling with how to move forward – how to rebuild their institute, where to find the funds, and how to support their staff and students in the midst of war.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grappling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grappling
Verb
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Miller would see young kits playing and wrestling around their den one day, only to find them all dead from bird flu the next.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Apr. 2026
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The end of kayfabe brought about a strange artistic flourishing—wrestling postmodernism.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One person in a Gerrit Cole jersey threw a nasty right hook after grabbing someone from behind.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
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Former Mayor Bill de Blasio similarly drew ridicule when he was caught using a knife and fork to eat pizza instead of grabbing the slice with his hands like any real New Yorker paisano would.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The camp is entirely dependent on aid, disrupted after cuts by USAID last year and again by fighting between Syrian and Kurdish forces this February.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2026
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Despite how difficult sitting through the case was, the jurors commended Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez for her fairness — and lead prosecutor Abbe Rifkin for fighting so hard for Quatisha.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Hatzinger did just that Monday, catching a two-hitter by best friend Adalynn Fugitt and providing support with her first career home run for the host Panthers in a 10-0 Southwest Prairie Conference win in five innings over crosstown rival Oswego East.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
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Schlittler last visited Fenway in May, catching a Red Sox night game after making an early start for the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The suspects — Mihail Alexandru, 20, Versalona Nicu, 26, and Mihaela Alexandru, 23 — are accused of snatching necklaces from victims, according to police.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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North Carolina, Arizona and Florida are also snatching away companies.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Road closures have been seizing the country’s leafy capital, as vans disgorge military style kit bags and American personnel to match at top hotels.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
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Human Rights Watch said authorities have taken sweeping steps to curb religious practice, including tearing down churches and crosses, blocking gatherings at unregistered churches and seizing religious materials not approved by the state.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On Thursday, April 16, 2026, jurors were shown surveillance footage and audio from inside Horner’s delivery truck, including portions capturing Athena’s final moments before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
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Neville took his cameras behind the scenes at 30 Rock’s Studio 8H during multiple production weeks, capturing the frenzy of pitch meetings, writing night, table reads and dress rehearsals.—
Rebecca Keegan,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Best Amazon Garden and Outdoor Deals Embrace the warmer weather by getting your outdoor space situated.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2026
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The first is that the élite obsession with shaping national politics, and with getting candidates elected, is a distraction.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grappling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grappling. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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