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
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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
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
Halakhic rulings on divorce, medical emergencies, or conversion involve nuance that no present-day model grasps.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Valeria finally grasps the extent of Manu’s deception after finding Bea dead in her hotel room.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
In each of these use cases, AI that sorts through appropriate, clean datasets—and grasps the full context of the worker’s role, functions and intentions—is the differentiator in deriving quantifiable value.
—Dan Adika, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Del Mazo grasps the importance of rhythm for the page turn, and her pacing is spot-on.
—Barney Saltzberg, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
For sustained success and a secure future in college football’s next edition, nothing is more important than a president who grasps the power of athletics to enhance campus life.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
This might seem obvious, but apparently, not everyone grasps the concept.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2025
The makeup designs on the main and guest cast characterize them almost instantaneously in ways the viewer grasps but doesn’t need to consciously think about.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 5 Feb. 2025
And while the boxing is kinetically directed, Morrison grasps that the movie’s fiercest stands are taken outside the ring, when Claressa — faced with tough choices about her future — asserts herself to the people who need to hear it.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
The Hurricanes needed that to happen after the game nearly slipped out of their grasps.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
Halakhic rulings on divorce, medical emergencies, or conversion involve nuance that no present-day model grasps.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
Valeria finally grasps the extent of Manu’s deception after finding Bea dead in her hotel room.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
In each of these use cases, AI that sorts through appropriate, clean datasets—and grasps the full context of the worker’s role, functions and intentions—is the differentiator in deriving quantifiable value.
—Dan Adika, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Del Mazo grasps the importance of rhythm for the page turn, and her pacing is spot-on.
—Barney Saltzberg, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
For sustained success and a secure future in college football’s next edition, nothing is more important than a president who grasps the power of athletics to enhance campus life.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
This might seem obvious, but apparently, not everyone grasps the concept.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2025
The makeup designs on the main and guest cast characterize them almost instantaneously in ways the viewer grasps but doesn’t need to consciously think about.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 5 Feb. 2025
And while the boxing is kinetically directed, Morrison grasps that the movie’s fiercest stands are taken outside the ring, when Claressa — faced with tough choices about her future — asserts herself to the people who need to hear it.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasps
Noun
-
Its approach suggests that in the years since Ferrante first made her way into American readers’ hands, the status of feminist writing has seen a true shift.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
-
What Happens Next There will likely be long delays before SNAP benefits actually make it into the hands of beneficiaries again.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Needless to say, Prince William's visit to Brazil offers him an opportunity to attempt a reset for the British monarchy, which for weeks now has been in the grips of a crisis about Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, and his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Heated grips, cruise control, a quickshifter, knuckle protectors, and a center stand all come as stock.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Social scientists can develop accurate understandings of how Americans really feel about all sorts of issues.—
Adam Bai,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
-
And the United States has been increasingly one-sided in backing Taiwan, chipping away at previous understandings reached with Beijing on cross-strait issues.—
STEPHEN WERTHEIM,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Melissa Schulz understands this deeply, not only as a parenting coach but also as a mom of three, including two neurodiverse children.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
And Derek understands that, as well.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
One cheerfully holds a toothbrush, her hair wrapped in a matching second towel (for me, a universal symbol of maturity and womanhood.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Outside of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North, who both stand alone as the only squads in their division with winning records, every other divisional leader holds only a slim edge over rivals in hot pursuit.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Gravette may not be where most expect to find an athlete competing on a global stage, but maybe that's just because Madie Edwards knows how to keep a low profile.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Armario knows the fast-food world from every angle—rising the industry ranks from Burger King crew member to a McDonald’s executive overseeing global supply chain, development, and franchising.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Marking identified a need for the district to change its attitude toward unregulated spending and tighten internal controls that will allow more board control over spending approvals.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Capital seekers can host confidential materials in secure virtual data rooms with NDA controls, while investment firms and professionals gain access to full CRM and deal flow management capabilities to manage contacts, deals, and workflows.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
While the standoff shows no immediate sign of easing, investors and policy decision-makers are flying blind without federal data to help color their perceptions about the health of the economy.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
-
With the rise of cable television and a 24/7 news cycle, Clinton understood sooner than most that a running mate could shape perceptions of the nominee.—
Time,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grasps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasps. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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