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

But Zou’s cinema grasps that unideal truths often can be concealed underneath beautiful surfaces. —Tomris Laffly, Variety, 25 May 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, 15 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

When the robot successfully grasps a door handle in simulation, that state is saved. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025