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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of grasp
Lori Majewski, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Former 49ers mainstay Arik Armstead poked the ball from Purdy’s grasp, Lloyd decked Purdy from behind, and Foyesade Oluokun recovered the loose ball.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Serve Your Favorite Wine First At Quintessa, Mitchell drove us around the vineyard to grasp the time, effort, and care put into the destination.
—Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grasp
Noun
As for the 25-year-old herself, this summer the Recording Academy invited her to join its membership — a sign the best new artist nom is within grasp?
—Lori Majewski, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
Former 49ers mainstay Arik Armstead poked the ball from Purdy’s grasp, Lloyd decked Purdy from behind, and Foyesade Oluokun recovered the loose ball.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
The flexible openings give little hands the opportunity to grasp, shake, and stack.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Serve Your Favorite Wine First At Quintessa, Mitchell drove us around the vineyard to grasp the time, effort, and care put into the destination.
—Isabella Milano, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasp
Noun
-
Secure, redundant communication systems ensure instant presidential command, while E-6B airborne launch control aircraft can assume control if ground communication is lost, guaranteeing uninterrupted deterrence capability.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The percentage indicates how much of the fire perimeter has been surrounded by a control line.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But Duane’s grip on the rifle was so tight that the muzzle stayed jammed under the bear’s chin.—
Marguerite Reiss,
Outdoor Life,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Touch in Sol’s fan-favorite primer smooths skin with a lightweight, velvety finish that blurs the appearance of pores and grips onto makeup in place all day.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Obviously, Quillan isn’t staying, but my understanding from talking to sources is Treliving continues to consider his options in terms of bringing in another forward.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The memo, first reported by Axios, says that Congress must specifically appropriate funds for back pay, contradicting previous understandings of the law.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Here, settler colonialism is understood as a form of environmental injustice, where pollution and degraded landscapes diminish Indigenous quality of life and ability to be in right relationship with the environment.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Oct. 2025
-
First, understand what the ruling means.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the summer, lush green pastures and 6-foot cornstalks hug the highway like veins funneling blood through the region.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Brazilian photojournalists on either side, both women, hugged me in an eruption of ebullience in the Lumière.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Advertisement An investigation led by the Guardian found in September that out of the 6,000 Palestinians from Gaza held by Israel since the Hamas terror attack two years ago, only one quarter were held on suspicion of militant links.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Second, ensure the whole executive team fully buys into the idea and holds others accountable for implementation.—
Adam Gale,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Both knew each other from their work for 100 Black Men of America, where Gatlin had been an executive before joining the Foundation.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Deborah McGregor, an Anishinaabe scholar from Whitefish River First Nation, defines and discusses the concept of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), sometimes also known as Indigenous Ecological Knowledge or Indigenous Ecological Wisdom.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Sometimes love can be about showing affection, spending quality time together, and showing appreciation for your partner.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Treat all financial decisions as math decisions with no appreciation for reasonable emotion, sentimental value, and desire to feed your soul.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasp. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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