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
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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
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
-
In your view, are the biggest risks from AI systems themselves or from the humans deploying them, the possibility of AI in the hands of rogue actors is particularly concerning here.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
-
Ten members of the pool raised their hands with three admitting to having some knowledge of King.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 June 2026
Noun
-
The latter adds features such as heated grips, a tire-pressure monitoring system, an adjustable windscreen, cornering lights, and a luggage rack.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 16,
New Atlas,
16 June 2026
-
Several nations are advancing efforts toward digital independence and are also teaming up to counter Washington’s and Beijing’s tightening grips over the technology.—
Tasneem Nashrulla,
semafor.com,
14 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
-
Hughton, whose father is from Accra, understands the frustration of a fanbase starved of success for so long.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Reid understands that people are used to seeing her as her characters or through the lens of her projects but that’s not the full picture.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
17 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
-
An individual holds a handful of hail pellets in Waite Park, Minnesota, after storms rolled through on June 19, 2026.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
The Entertainment Business Center in Tokyo manages more than 100 brand-IP collaborations annually and holds investment positions in more than 60 anime titles.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Calmus knows firsthand what NICU families face.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
From Louis through the book, and then his mother knows exactly how to string him along, when to give him love and when to take it away.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Human actions, from discovering a breakthrough to inadvertently blocking an explosion with controls, could profoundly shape AGI/ASI's arrival, highlighting the deep mystery surrounding its future development.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
By nature of Darwinism, insects resistant to certain controls often breed and multiply in a garden, passing on that resistance as a genetic trait.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grasps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasps. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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