grasp 1 of 2

grasp

2 of 2

verb

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
3
4

Synonym Chooser

How is the word grasp different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of grasp are clutch, grab, seize, snatch, and take. While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

grasp the handle and pull

When might clutch be a better fit than grasp?

The synonyms clutch and grasp are sometimes interchangeable, but clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

clutching her purse

How are the words grab and snatch related as synonyms of grasp?

Grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

grabbed roughly by the arm

When is it sensible to use seize instead of grasp?

While in some cases nearly identical to grasp, seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

seized the suspect

How do snatch and seize relate to one another, in the sense of grasp?

Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

snatched a doughnut and ran

When could take be used to replace grasp?

While the synonyms take and grasp are close in meaning, take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

take some salad from the bowl

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
Noun
Kaplan lived with a firm grasp of reality in his work. Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 20 Apr. 2025 Our local birds have not only taken a firm grasp on reestablishing their once-abundant population. Thomas Weddle, Outdoor Life, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
To remove it, grasp it at the crown—where the lanky stems originate—and pull straight up. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2025 Hine, then in his early 30s, was part of a growing Progressive movement that sought large-scale social and political reform following the collapse of post-Civil War Reconstruction and the explosion of the grasping Gilded Age. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for grasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasp
Noun
  • By pinpointing high-privilege users and monitoring data-sharing behaviors, Reco assists CISOs in implementing stricter access controls.
    Maria Williams, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • This underscores that communication in abusive relationships can escalate the situation, particularly when the core issue is power and control, not miscommunication.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Jury selection is underway, and as the trial continues to ramp up, its grip on our culture will likely only grow stronger.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • Here's a better understanding of what Pope Leo XIV wore on Thursday.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 9 May 2025
  • To that end, a better understanding of where the American consumer is headed may lie in the automotive aftermarket.
    Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • To understand what’s at stake amid the NNSA’s workforce woes, USA TODAY interviewed current and former agency officials and reviewed decades of watchdog reports, safety records and other official documents.
    Davis Winkie, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • The realtor also pulled permits to help determine a timeline of events to understand when some of the damage occurred.
    Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • On one hand, the Pacers essentially had four-on-four opportunities with Haliburton and his defender all but hugging 30+-feet from the rim.
    Tony East, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • Ozturk, who appeared remotely from Louisiana and testified before the court, was seen hugging her lawyer after Sessions delivered his decision from the bench.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • The result is partial solutions that rarely hold under pressure.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Particularly in less densely populated parts of America, plenty of government officials and citizens still hold a grudge over the way businesses and schools were temporarily shut down.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • On May 9, a swarm of what are believed to be Africanized honey bees, also known as killer bees, attacked and killed three horses in Comanche, Texas, just about 50 miles southeast of Eastland.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • Barnett is best known for his participation in the first season of Love Island USA, which premiered in 2019.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • Serving as missionaries in the South American country gave them both a special appreciation for their faith, according to Turley.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 12 May 2025
  • These strategic investments can lead to higher rental rates and property appreciation, directly benefiting the investor's bottom line.​ • Risk Management: Identifying, assessing and mitigating risks associated with the property and market fluctuations is a critical function.
    Jesse Sasomsup, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasp. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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