Thesaurus

grasp

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of grasp

1 the ability to direct the course of something

for a time it looked like most of Europe would be within Hitlerʼs grasp

Synonyms of grasp

control, hand(s)

Words Related to grasp

clutch, grip, hold, mastery

arm, command, dominion, helm, sway

authority, domination, jurisdiction, might, power

administration, direction, governance, government, guidance, management, operation, oversight, regulation, running, superintendence, supervision

Near Antonyms of grasp

helplessness, weakness

impotence, impotency, powerlessness

2 the act or manner of holding

during the roller coaster ride, my date clutched my arm with a deathlike grasp

Synonyms of grasp

clasp, clench, grapple, grip, handgrip, handhold, hold

Words Related to grasp

anchorage, leverage, purchase

foothold, footing, toehold

clinch, embrace, hug

Near Antonyms of grasp

release, relinquishment

3 the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something

I think I finally have a grasp of Spanish grammar

Synonyms of grasp

appreciation, apprehension, comprehension, grip, hold, perception, percipience, understanding

Words Related to grasp

absorption, assimilation, digestion, uptake

conception, visualization

awareness, consciousness, enlightenment, realization

Near Antonyms of grasp

misapprehension, miscomprehension, misinterpretation, misperception, misunderstanding

Antonyms of grasp

incomprehension, noncomprehension

grasp

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of grasp

1 to have a practical understanding of

he just doesn't grasp how important it is that he call when he'll be late

Synonyms of grasp

comprehend, know, understand

Words Related to grasp

appreciate, apprehend, cognize, fathom, follow, ken [chiefly Scottish], perceive, savvy

catch on (to), pick up

Near Antonyms of grasp

misapprehend, misconceive, misinterpret, misknow, misperceive, misunderstand

2 to put oneʼs arms around and press tightly

the departing soldier grasped his children a little closer than usual

Synonyms of grasp

bear-hug, clasp, crush, embrace, enclasp, enfold, hug, strain

Words Related to grasp

clamp, cling, cradle, grab, grip, hold

bosom, embosom, encircle, entwine, envelop, enwind

fold, lock, twine, wrap

cuddle, fondle, nestle, nuzzle, pat, pet, snuggle, stroke

3 to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms

the attendant grasped my arm and steered me towards the door

Synonyms of grasp

clasp, grip, hold, take

Words Related to grasp

clench, cling (to), clutch, hold on (to)

catch, nab, seize, snatch

Phrases Synonymous with grasp

hang on to, lay hold of

Near Antonyms of grasp

discharge, drop, free, liberate, release

deliver, entrust (also intrust), give, hand, hand over, pass, relinquish, transfer, transmit, turn over, unhand

4 to have a clear idea of

the emergency operator finally grasped what he was trying to tell her

Synonyms of grasp

appreciate, apprehend, assimilate, behold, catch, catch on (to), cognize, compass, comprehend, conceive, cotton (to or on to), decipher, decode, dig, discern, get, grok, intuit, know, make, make out, perceive, recognize, register, savvy, see, seize, sense, tumble (to), twig, understand

Words Related to grasp

absorb, digest, take in

fathom, penetrate, pierce

Phrases Synonymous with grasp

Near Antonyms of grasp

misapprehend, misconceive, misconstrue, misinterpret, misperceive, misread, mistake, misunderstand

Antonyms of grasp

Synonym Discussion of grasp

take, seize, grasp, clutch, snatch, grab mean to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand. take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

- take some salad from the bowl

seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

- seized the suspect

grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

- grasp the handle and pull

clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

- clutching her purse

snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

- snatched a doughnut and ran

grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

- grabbed roughly by the arm

Learn More about grasp

See words that rhyme with grasp Dictionary: Definition of grasp Spanish Central: Translation of grasp Nglish: Translation of grasp for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of grasp for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up grasp? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

resurrection

an act or instance of returning to life