1
as in control
the ability to direct the course of something
The team got out to a big lead and rightly assumed that victory was within their grasp.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grip
the act or manner of holding
during the roller coaster ride, my date clutched my arm with a deathlike grasp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in understanding
the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something
I think I finally have a grasp of Spanish grammar
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to understand
to have a practical understanding of
he just doesn't grasp how important it is that he call when he'll be late
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to hug
to put one's arms around and press tightly
the departing soldier grasped his children a little closer than usual
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to hold
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to know
to have a clear idea of
the emergency operator finally grasped what he was trying to tell her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of grasp
Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
Bring Her Back is still a messy endeavor, even with what feels like a newfound discipline, not to mention a superior grasp of pacing and catch-release tension, happening behind the camera.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 May 2025
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 June 2025
The slider used to open and close the zipper should be easily grasped and should glide smoothly across the zipper.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for grasp
Noun
Generations of Americans, presidents and legislators, first responders and doctors, moms and dads, and grandparents all have helped our grasp of the American way.
—Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
Bring Her Back is still a messy endeavor, even with what feels like a newfound discipline, not to mention a superior grasp of pacing and catch-release tension, happening behind the camera.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 May 2025
Verb
About two weeks after the sod is laid, check rooting by grasping a corner of the turf and trying to pull it up.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 June 2025
The slider used to open and close the zipper should be easily grasped and should glide smoothly across the zipper.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for grasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasp
Noun
-
Because many of the scenes are shot through windows or doorways, the camera can seem sympathetic to Agnes’s struggle to regain control.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
29 June 2025
-
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 June 2025
Noun
-
Safely reducing the jail population will also help staff get a grip on violence and better deliver treatment and rehabilitation.—
Jonathan Lippman,
New York Daily News,
27 June 2025
-
Hundreds of Iranians have been detained on political and security charges as the government works to retain its grip on power.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
The timing of that cease-fire was the source of some confusion, because there had been no formal agreement between Iran and Israel, just a general understanding.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
25 June 2025
-
The two finally came to an understanding and began a fruitful collaboration that would last almost two decades.—
Alicia Ault,
Smithsonian Magazine,
25 June 2025
Verb
-
It’s well understood among museum professionals that people like to look at bodies.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
23 June 2025
-
The mission’s detailed investigation of Europa will help scientists better understand the astrobiological potential for habitable worlds beyond our planet.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
Guardiola has always traditionally asked for his two wingers to provide the width for the team but that started to change at times last season, with the full-backs hugging the touchline.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
-
Aaron Paul and pal, Chef Michael Mina, hug it out at the one-year anniversary of Bourbon Steak in New York.—
Grace Harrington,
People.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
GoTo also holds a 22% stake in Bank Jago, an Indonesian digital bank.—
Lionel Lim,
Fortune,
22 June 2025
-
The mood was amplified by the Israeli attacks on Iran that began over the weekend when many of the initial receptions and gatherings were being held.—
Jerrold Lundquist,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Verb
-
The Trump administration said the strikes destroyed Iran's nuclear infrastructure, but the full extent of the damage is not known.—
Sonam Sheth
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
The parliamentarian determined that a provision to bar immigrants who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents from receiving food assistance benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, should also be removed.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
That’s because stock is only taxed when it’s sold, and not on its appreciation in value; activists like the protesters in Venice this week want that to change.—
Phoebe Liu,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
Montano expressed appreciation for $5 million worth of federal grants that will be used to improve local intersections and school zones.—
Stephanie Lam,
Mercury News,
27 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasp. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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