1
as in understood
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hugged
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 held
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 knew
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 grasped
Brooke said moments during filming forced her to confront lingering insecurities about whether her father ever fully grasped her independence and success.
—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Atheist philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche grasped the radical implications of this view.
—James O. Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
When Chinese alchemists invented gunpowder in the ninth century, no one grasped the full range of its potential uses.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Finland grasped this eight years ago.
—Andrew Rasiej, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
The problem is that the general medical community, beyond nephrologists, hasn’t really grasped the extent of the problem.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
Godoy only fully grasped the answer before shooting Season 2.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Marcus Smart and Austin Reaves earned a pair of technical fouls in the second quarter after Celtics small forward Jaylen Brown sent an elbow into Smart’s face on his way to the rim as Boston grasped a 36-33 lead.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 23 Feb. 2026
Few investors had heard of the World Wide Web, let alone grasped its commercial potential.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Atheist philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche grasped the radical implications of this view.
—James O. Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
When Chinese alchemists invented gunpowder in the ninth century, no one grasped the full range of its potential uses.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Finland grasped this eight years ago.
—Andrew Rasiej, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
The problem is that the general medical community, beyond nephrologists, hasn’t really grasped the extent of the problem.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
Godoy only fully grasped the answer before shooting Season 2.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Marcus Smart and Austin Reaves earned a pair of technical fouls in the second quarter after Celtics small forward Jaylen Brown sent an elbow into Smart’s face on his way to the rim as Boston grasped a 36-33 lead.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 23 Feb. 2026
Few investors had heard of the World Wide Web, let alone grasped its commercial potential.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasped
Verb
-
First, let it be understood that the Padres were not facing another of what has been a seemingly constant stream of pitchers with incredible stuff.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The report analyzes data from 2022 through 2024 to grade counties on unhealthy levels of ozone and particle pollution, perhaps better understood as smog and soot, respectively.—
Samantha Neely,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Immediately after the entire cast went and hugged @jemfxpopov’s neck.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia pulled a goal back four minutes into stoppage time with a curler from 20 meters out, but Lyon was a worthy winner and PSG coach Luis Enrique hugged Fonseca.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.—
Daniel S. Levine,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The team knew Reiten’s contract expired in the summer.—
Melanie Anzidei,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
But no one knew how to fully compute these invariants in an efficient way, except for the first member of the sequence.—
Erica Klarreich,
Quanta Magazine,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While the other candidates pressed their palms against the podiums, ready to pounce on every question, Becerra clasped his hands like an altar boy.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Another girl, Donna Jo, apparently naked on a back-yard lawn, holds several small, round pieces of fruit, still on their leafy branch, clasped to her chest like a trophy.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Gabbard’s appointment was full of risk from the start because of her background, but her inconsequential impact on actual matters of policy might be one more reason to downsize the bloated national-security infrastructure put in place during the panic that gripped America after 9/11.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2026
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But candlemania has gripped the world of interior design, as many crave the soft glow and more natural feel of candlelight, and holders become the ideal vehicle for decor expression without breaking the bank (in most cases).—
Francesca Perry,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The company expects a little more of an impact in its Q2, but Cook said it’s fully comprehended in the above Street outlook of 48% to 49%.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Basque team welcomed a Barcelona squad featuring Lionel Messi, Neymar, Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta and Xavi to their Anoeta stadium in January 2015, scored an early goal and clung on for dear life against the soon-to-be treble winners.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The 93-year-old president has clung to power since 1982, in a country where 43% of the population lives in poverty.—
Claudio Lavanga,
NBC news,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grasped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasped. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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