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
  • However, his potential control over the Vatican Bank raises important questions about FBAR filing duties.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • Stories about strict border controls and immigration enforcement have created hesitation among potential travelers.
    Jackie Snow, Quartz, 24 May 2025
Noun
  • The long, ergonomic handle is designed for adult hands, ensuring a comfortable grip during feeding sessions.
    Toby Rose, Parents, 22 May 2025
  • To properly prepare for a rain walk, experts recommend: Wearing shoes with a good grip.
    Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Verywell Health, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Without mutual understanding, both can feel unseen or misunderstood.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • And the clear understanding on the part of Spielberg of what Stanley Kubrick used to call the submersible units of narrative.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 20 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
  • After the Mass, while meeting with dignitaries and world faith leaders, the pope broke protocol to hug his brother.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
  • The extra weight is believed to help calm the nervous system, mimicking the feeling of being hugged and promoting a sense of security and relaxation.
    Nora Colomer may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • The result is partial solutions that rarely hold under pressure.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 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
  • Still, though, worthy of appreciation in the eyes of someone for whom the softness of an aging body can look a lot like love.
    Valerie Monroe, Allure, 23 May 2025
  • Gordon noted an appreciation for the architecture of the building, including nods to the elevated tracks and trains that previously ran through the area.
    Aman Kidwai, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasp. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on grasp

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!