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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grasps
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
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 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
Until the governor’s office grasps the severity of the problem, and until the health insurers are tasked with stopping the fraud, Girand isn’t optimistic there’ll be much change.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
When the robot successfully grasps a door handle in simulation, that state is saved.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025
The photo shows Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce on one knee as Swift grasps his face.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
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
Odenkirk also grasps what to do and what not to do on camera.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 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
Until the governor’s office grasps the severity of the problem, and until the health insurers are tasked with stopping the fraud, Girand isn’t optimistic there’ll be much change.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
When the robot successfully grasps a door handle in simulation, that state is saved.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025
The photo shows Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce on one knee as Swift grasps his face.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasps
Noun
-
The review followed a 2022 report that highlighted the excavation of a Lenape burial site whose ownership was later returned to Native American hands, the outlet reported.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
12 May 2026
-
Another adjustment on set was with his daughter played by Toscano tending to follow his hands as Insolera communicated using sign language, rather than look into his eyes.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Hosmer’s video showed evidence the Red Sox might have been identifying pitch grips from Valdez’s glove and relaying signs to hitters when a runner was on second base.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
-
Livro and Vico have escaped the grips of the neighborhood gang and are going to work for Ivan, doing maintenance on his yacht.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
For example, Connelly of Columbia University mentioned new understandings of the danger surrounding the Cuban missile crisis in 1962.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The research would have to extend into the professional realm to deepen these burgeoning understandings of how the dark facets of ourselves operate, suggesting even the necessity of the shadow as that might be directing our career choices through the world.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Peace returns when everyone understands what is being shared.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
-
The director understands immediately.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Lindo laughs, clasps his hands together and raises them.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Keeping that hardshell closed is a pair of wide, beefy aluminum latches with a lower swing arm that clasps to a closure bar via a pair of hooks.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Red Square is where Russia holds its traditional military parade to celebrate Victory Day, one of the biggest holidays of the year.—
Darlene Superville,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Continue reading … BALLOT TALK — Rubio's viral White House briefing clip fuels 2028 buzz as Vance holds frontrunner spot.—
,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Holmes knows the difference between a hundred and forty types of tobacco ash.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
No one ever quite knows how an event will be interrupted, a notion that was proved bizarrely at last week’s World Snooker Championships when an audience member halted proceedings to protest about the BBC licence fee.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The government has methodically tightened internet censorship and established increasingly stringent controls over online activities, causing rumblings and rare public expressions of discontent.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
-
Residential environments currently lack the power density, redundancy, physical security, and environmental controls that enterprise workloads require.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grasps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasps. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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