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
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Recent Examples of grasp
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
The throw wouldn’t have even happened if Jaelan Phillips hadn’t allowed Justin Herbert to escape his grasp.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025
Furthermore, these grasping abilities would have also helped climb.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grasp
Noun
One of Panahi’s great strengths has always been his ability to incorporate allegory and metaphor without losing his grasp of character, incident, and emotion.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
The throw wouldn’t have even happened if Jaelan Phillips hadn’t allowed Justin Herbert to escape his grasp.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
Too often, these nations assume such threats are bluffs or exaggerations because their own logic struggles to grasp that someone would be so blatant.
—Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025
Furthermore, these grasping abilities would have also helped climb.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasp
Noun
-
On the table before the two leaders, who met at Busan’s Gimhae Air Base, were a range of thorny issues including tariffs, China’s sweeping export controls on rare earths, US restrictions on Chinese access to American high-tech, and China’s role in the illicit fentanyl trade.—
Betsy Klein,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Narrative has a seemingly relentless, ungovernable momentum, but humans retain a control over war stories that does not extend to war itself.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Without synthetics to rely on for stretch and grip, Cottonique uses drawstrings, which could be considered fiddly and bulky, or too much of a trade-off, particularly for undergarments.—
Sophie Benson,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
-
As the Ellisons tightened their grip on Paramount, CBS has made significant changes.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Five years ago, Olamide Olowe was a college student with $1,000 dollars, a deep understanding of chronic skin conditions, and a vision to make skincare more inclusive and accessible.—
Essence,
Essence,
28 Oct. 2025
-
And the United States has been increasingly one-sided in backing Taiwan, chipping away at previous understandings reached with Beijing on cross-strait issues.—
STEPHEN WERTHEIM,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Both also connected really deeply with their big-name players and understood how to communicate with those individuals to get the best out of them.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Deadline understands that 26 crew members of Tulsa King‘s 600-member crew were asked not to return for Season 4, which is expected to resume production in a week.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Instead, in a complete flip the script moment, that quote was uttered by the blindsider in question, Sage, who refused to hug the disposed of Shannon.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The property sits in a high valley of the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park (quite close to the Austrian border) and is hugged by meadows and forests.—
Chadner Navarro,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The eight-hour event, which was held at a local school, attracted 800 to 900 people, Waggoner says — and one of them, Brenda Hodgkin, 41, was both a volunteer and beneficiary.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Fentanyl poisoners who harm and exploit others will be held accountable.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The charitable organization funded by the Johnson & Johnson heiress is known for gifts to education, health and civic projects.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Also known as irritable hip, the condition is due to inflammation of the hip joint lining.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
TikTok users were quick to share their admiration for Fern’s newfound appreciation for her treatment.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Dead Poets Society starred Hawke as one of several boarding school students under the tutelage of a sensitive new English teacher, John Keating (Williams), who imbues his pupils with a newfound appreciation for poetry.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasp. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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