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
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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
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
When the robot successfully grasps a door handle in simulation, that state is saved.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 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
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
When the robot successfully grasps a door handle in simulation, that state is saved.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasps
Noun
-
The telegram’s design is joyful and vivid, featuring illustrations of tiny hands tossing multi-colored hats and flowers into the air in a gesture of congratulation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
The violin in Baerwald’s hands was the one his German-Jewish grandfather played as a Japanese prisoner of war in the Bandō camp at Tokushima during World War I.—
Bethanne Patrick,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Eldest daughter Abby is recently divorced, and coming to grips with being a single mother, while Paige is an ambitious NYC publicist thrown completely out of her element in Wyoming.—
Cat Cardenas,
Variety,
10 June 2026
-
His command over oral storytelling grips all those who join him on his walking tours of Kelly Ingram Park in downtown Birmingham, the historic epicenter of the nation’s Civil Rights Movement.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Everyone knows everything because knowledge flows not from direct experience but from our intuitive understandings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
-
For Google, that potentially unlocks new understandings of user intentions.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Even now, the psychological moves of the book’s last moments, how and what Maeve understands, feel to me provisional, blurry, to be co-created with the reader.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
Ahamed really understands the American economy as part of a global economic system—something that a lot of other writers refuse to do.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
King clasps his head, ready to shield his eyes if need be.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
26 May 2026
-
Abner clasps Questelle’s face in her hands.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Lead drama actor holds essentially steady at 78, nearly matching last year’s 77, when 134 names crowded the ballot.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
12 June 2026
-
Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
But when things become too true to life, Fuqua knows to cut the style and let the actors carry the scene.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
-
Reduce Latency Anyone who has watched a big soccer match in a large office setting knows the pain of TVs not being in sync.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The cooktop is set into the countertop at left with controls mounted on the cabinet face in front.—
Fred Albert,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
If college sports truly need cost controls, why do those controls always begin and end with the players?—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grasps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasps. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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