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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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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
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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasps
Noun
-
While committing the robberies Fleming drew a gun, and wore all black covering his face with a ski mask and goggles, and his hands with gloves, authorities said.
-
Rinse the blueberries under cold running water, gently swishing them around with your hands to ensure all the berries are exposed to water.
Noun
-
The loudest crash of gravitational waves ever heard has offered us insight into event horizons, the boundaries beyond which nothing can escape the grips of black holes.
-
For me, the purpose of art is to come to grips with the demons of the past, present, and future; to give form to chaos; to enable us to process fear; and to conceive of a different, more humane future.
Noun
-
The ruling has long been criticized as out of step with basic understandings of the law, and the court later refused to extend the exemption to other sports, including football, basketball and boxing.
-
The Constitution’s language ruled out neither of those understandings.
Verb
-
Howard would like him to be involved but understands carrying a full tour bag through the practice days and four potential championship rounds would be a considerable physical demand.
-
Prince Harry no longer plans to bring his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, with him to London next week amid security concerns, ABC News understands.
Verb
-
King clasps his head, ready to shield his eyes if need be.
-
Abner clasps Questelle’s face in her hands.
Verb
-
The self-image of a predominantly Anglo civilization on the far side of the world—a distant, lucky country insulated from global conflict—no longer holds.
-
Each carafe holds 35 ounces and features a narrow neck for easier pouring.
Verb
-
The cocktail is a fantastic way to get acquainted with Fernet Branca, and who knows?
-
Our constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens.
Noun
-
Export controls have blocked Huawei and China’s leading chipmakers from access to extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography tools and leading-edge foundry capacity around which the frontier semiconductor roadmap is organized.
-
Anthropic had objected to the government’s decision to impose export controls in a blog post announcing that the two systems had been disabled.
Cite this Entry
“Grasps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasps. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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