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
Maybe soccer has a world of fans who haven’t quite grasped this new-money concept.
—
Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
His survival so far depended on the passion of people who may not have grasped how grave his situation was.
—Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026
That extra time doesn't necessarily result in the struggling student performing better than the student who grasped the assignment more quickly.
—Ariel Gilreath, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
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
Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
His survival so far depended on the passion of people who may not have grasped how grave his situation was.
—Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026
That extra time doesn't necessarily result in the struggling student performing better than the student who grasped the assignment more quickly.
—Ariel Gilreath, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasped
Verb
-
According to the testimony of Raffaele Imperiale, an Italian cocaine trafficker and fellow Super Cartel member, Kinahan understood the unspoken rules of the city.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
What’s more, the LA jazz scene, at least as Bellerose understood it, felt like a relic, with old clubs like The Baked Potato catering more to tourists than adventurous musicians.—
Grayson Haver Currin,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
People hugged and cheered around Delp, shifting positions and blocking the sofa without realizing the persistent pup was trying to push through just below them.—
Sara Vallone,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Apr. 2026
-
In his press conference on Monday, Rosenior pointed out that one video of Fernandez appearing to walk past him after being substituted against Manchester United was cut before the player turned around and hugged him and shook his hand.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
23 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
-
Growing up in Hollywood, most people Mansoori knew worked in the film industry, including his high school classmate actress Blake Lively.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 May 2026
-
But mothers who’d hunted long for that title knew that this unpleasantness was welcome, embraced.—
‘Pemi Aguda,
Literary Hub,
6 May 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
-
His hand gripped the side bar of an umbrella stroller that had a toddler kicking her legs up, dressed in daisy-print overalls.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
-
After jubilation gripped the players against Everton, Nuno walked on the field to congratulate Wilson.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
1 May 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
-
At around the same time, the Bellevue Square name was changed to Mary Shepard Place to help ease the stigma of crime that had clung to the project.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
-
And Hemmady clung to the advice on why the work left to be done, that work Patel said must be done together, matters.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grasped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasped. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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