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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
As a younger player, James grasped that the fundamentals were paramount.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 20 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
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
As a younger player, James grasped that the fundamentals were paramount.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 20 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasped
Verb
-
The three-year varsity starter understood the assignment.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
-
There were people who understood and were entertained in a positive way.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The couple, who wore coordinating black and white outfits, happily hugged and kissed on the beach in the second and third shots.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
-
When the game was over, James hugged several of the Thunder players.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 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
-
Being such a fan of books, the 24-year-old actor knew just how dedicated the fanbase for his new Prime Video series Off Campus would be.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
-
So when Morgan didn’t show up for the early shift one morning, her co-workers knew something was wrong.—
Dateline NBC,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Hands clasped, head bowed, blank and fair of face.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Why were yuppies suddenly gripped by a fever for investment banking?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
-
State and federal investigators returned Tuesday to a North Texas home at the center of the disappearance of a 6-year-old boy, digging up parts of the backyard as authorities pursue new leads in a case that has gripped the community for years.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
13 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 the last general election, Streeting clung on to his seat in parliament by just 528 votes.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
-
Reigns clung onto the referee and exposed a turnbuckle in the process.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grasped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasped. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
