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
-
There’s no due process here, either; the three triumvirs don’t get their hands dirty, their decisions can’t be appealed, and there’s no public process by which those to be killed will be identified before the decision is final.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Delving into the tragic murder of Ajike Owens, a Black Florida woman, at the hands of her white neighbor Susan Lorincz, the new film from prolific documentarian Geeta Gandbhir examines issues of race, class, community, and surveillance.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
They’re made with durable aluminum alloy and have cork and foam hand grips to keep you comfortable while climbing.—
Anna Fiorentino,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Crews discovered fissures in the bedrock that required repair and struggled to find grips strong enough to hold cars on the steep grade.—
Michael Wells,
Kansas City Star,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But there was a gap between us—our culture, our language, our understandings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The primary goal is to trace how these medical ideas were communicated through language and how that language still influences public and clinical understandings of the body today.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The decision, announced Friday, was made in close consultation with Britain’s King Charles III, who is believed to be glad at the outcome, while Prince William and other members of the royal family were also consulted on the discussions, CNN understands.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Therefore, his ability to be optimistic and realistic while reflecting not just a fan’s concern, but a leader who understands how to win in Philadelphia , should be respected.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Council Member Ward 4 Kelly Sullivan Angles Kelly Sullivan Angles works as a legal advisor to businesses and holds a law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, according to her LinkedIn.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Hindu belief holds that Lakshmi cannot enter a dark space, according to the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Dog Whisperer breaks down a simple method to make sure your pup knows where to go when nature calls.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
19 Oct. 2025
-
This year’s postseason run is all Yesavage knows at the big league level.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The company’s new parental controls come after the Federal Trade Commission launched an inquiry into several tech companies, including Meta, over how AI chatbots could potentially harm children and teenagers.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Meta is adding parental controls for kids’ interactions with artificial intelligence chatbots — including the ability to turn off one-on-one chats with AI characters altogether — beginning early next year.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The activist Aralikar believes that creating opportunities for female success is the key to shifting perceptions.—
Aishwarya S. Iyer,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
-
For executives rallying employees around strategy or transformation, understanding these perceptions is critical.—
Jason Del Rey,
Fortune,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grasps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasps. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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