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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grasp
James Hansen, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2025
According to OpenAI, early testers praised GPT-5’s improved grasp of visual layout, specifically its choices around spacing, typography, and white space.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2025
Demir Alp, JSTOR Daily, 29 Aug. 2025
Instead, softly grasp the fruit with your palm, with your thumb near the stem.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grasp
Noun
The first set disappeared from Mboko’s grasp in barely a moment.
—James Hansen, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2025
According to OpenAI, early testers praised GPT-5’s improved grasp of visual layout, specifically its choices around spacing, typography, and white space.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
Yet, the fruit carries a broader meaning as well, as the Christ child also intimately interacts with it, grasping and contemplating it.
—Demir Alp, JSTOR Daily, 29 Aug. 2025
Instead, softly grasp the fruit with your palm, with your thumb near the stem.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasp
Noun
-
In August 2018, having been co-owners since 2007, Stan Kroenke bought Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov’s 30 per cent shareholding for over £600m, ending a long power struggle for ultimate control of the club and taking his total stake to 97 per cent.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Turn into the skid - Turning into the skid can help the vehicle's tires realign to regain control.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
With English Subtitles French maestro Claire Denis’ taut chamber piece simmers with dark secrets and emotional tensions in its portrait of a community suffocating from the relentless grip of colonialism.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Wednesday then rescues Pugsley as Gomez and Morticia arrive, but before the family can properly reunite, Isaac snatches Wednesday into his telekinetic grip, choking her.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Thank you so much for your understanding.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
-
An unexpected connection that transcends class develops between them, one rooted in mutual respect, understanding, and slow-burning affection.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
These measurements are fundamental to understanding how greenhouse gas emissions relate to rising temperatures, simultaneously contributing to scientific research and informing policymakers of compliance with environmental regulations.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
6 Sep. 2025
-
If the marathons of New York and London showcase splendour and establishment and magnificence and size and place, then the Great North Run offers something else; to complete it, to witness it, is to understand its pull.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Dennis tries to hug Roman, but Roman attacks him, punching him multiple times before leaving the hotel room.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The oldest neighborhood in Miami, Coconut Grove is a sedate enclave that hugs Biscayne Bay about a dozen miles from South Beach—but up to an hour by car during peak traffic—with the iconic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens as its cultural and architectural center.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Namajunas held onto the belt in the rematch in November 2021, defeating Zhang via split decision.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
For investment firms of the ultra wealthy, deal-making held steady in August.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
He was reportedly known to law enforcement to wear a shoulder holster on the left side of his body.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Sep. 2025
-
In late March, a 3-year-old Leavenworth boy known as EJ fell asleep for the night on a neighbor’s couch after eating grapes.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Hoffman grew up visiting the Cincinnati Zoo, which led to his appreciation for nature.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Writer Claudia Riiff Finseth credits Tolkien’s Catholic upbringing and interest in Anglo-Saxon literature to his appreciation of the tree’s rich symbolism.—
Ellen Walker,
JSTOR Daily,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasp. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share