Synonyms of grasps

grasps 1 of 2

noun

plural of grasp

1

as in hands

the ability to direct the course of something

for a time it looked like most of Europe would be within Hitler's grasp

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hands
• controls
• holds
• arms
• directions
• clutches
• powers
• grips
• helms
• commands
• sways
• jurisdictions
• dominions
• operations
• managements
• guidance
• governments
• regulations
• administrations
• mights
• dominations
• authorities
• masteries
• oversights
• governances
• supervisions
• superintendences

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weaknesses
• impotences
• impotencies

2

as in grips

the act or manner of holding

during the roller coaster ride, my date clutched my arm with a deathlike grasp

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grips
• holds
• clasps
• clenches
• handholds
• grapples
• grabs
• handgrips
• purchases
• embraces
• leverages
• anchorages
• footholds
• seizures
• hugs
• clinches
• toeholds
• footings

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• releases
• relinquishments

3

as in understandings

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

• understandings
• perceptions
• appreciations
• grips
• holds
• comprehensions
• apprehensions
• percipiences
• conceptions
• absorptions
• uptakes
• assimilations
• digestions
• realizations
• enlightenments
• visualizations

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misunderstandings
• misperceptions
• incomprehensions
• misinterpretations
• misapprehensions
• miscomprehensions

grasps

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of grasp

1

as in understands

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

• understands
• knows
• comprehends
• appreciates
• possesses
• apprehends
• perceives
• follows
• cognizes
• has
• kens
• fathoms
• savvies
• catches on (to)
• picks up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misunderstands
• misinterprets
• misconceives
• misapprehends
• misperceives
• misknows

2

as in clasps

to put one's arms around and press tightly

the departing soldier grasped his children a little closer than usual

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clasps
• hugs
• clings
• embraces
• grabs
• cradles
• enfolds
• holds
• wraps
• crushes
• grips
• bear-hugs
• enclasps
• encircles
• clamps
• strains
• pats
• entwines
• envelops
• folds
• snuggles
• locks
• fondles
• nuzzles
• nestles
• twines
• strokes
• enwinds
• embosoms
• cuddles
• bosoms
• pets

3

as in holds

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

• holds
• grips
• takes
• clasps
• clenches
• lays hold of
• clutches
• catches
• seizes
• snatches
• hangs on to
• holds on (to)
• clings (to)
• nabs

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberates
• frees
• drops
• releases
• discharges
• gives
• passes
• relinquishes
• delivers
• transmits
• entrusts
• hands
• transfers
• turns over
• hands over
• unhands

4

as in knows

to have a clear idea of

the emergency operator finally grasped what he was trying to tell her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• understands
• knows
• comprehends
• recognizes
• deciphers
• sees
• appreciates
• realizes
• perceives
• gets
• discerns
• conceives
• senses
• seizes
• apprehends
• intuits
• beholds
• assimilates
• makes
• decodes
• catches
• digs
• twigs
• registers
• tumbles (to)
• cognizes
• groks
• catches on (to)
• makes out
• absorbs
• picks up on
• cottons (to or on to)
• savvies
• penetrates
• digests
• compasses
• takes in
• pierces
• fathoms

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misses
• misunderstands
• misinterprets
• misconstrues
• misreads
• misconceives
• mistakes
• misapprehends
• misperceives

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of grasps

Noun

Through universal intelligent manipulation, the robot autonomously plans grasps, adjusts force in real time, and navigates obstacles using seamless hand–eye coordination. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 Jan. 2026

The Hurricanes needed that to happen after the game nearly slipped out of their grasps. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025

Rigid grippers used in existing aerial manipulators require precise positioning to achieve successful grasps and transmit large contact forces that may destabilize the drone. — IEEE Spectrum, 26 Mar. 2021

Verb

Real thinking — the kind that understands a question, grasps its context and goes out to gather information before formulating a response. — Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

His eyes and smile are too wide, and his right hand grasps the air. — Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

There is only one candidate who grasps the complexity of this crisis and has the legislative experience to address it. — Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 1 June 2026

But Zou’s cinema grasps that unideal truths often can be concealed underneath beautiful surfaces. — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 25 May 2026

Rosi’s artistry grasps the limitations of being a long-term guest, visually juxtaposing the ancient and elemental, busts and people. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026

But Sanders grasps the politics of an NFL locker room and the mindset of NFL veterans better than anybody. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026

When a word feels too abstract, Jacobs shifts the phrasing, lowers the tempo or elongates a syllable until Siena grasps it. — Reylee Billingsley, AZCentral.com, 7 Feb. 2026

The nearly colorless imagery really grasps the soul of the moment and the chill of our wintry days. — Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026