Synonyms of grip

grip 1 of 2

noun

1

as in suitcase

a bag carried by hand and designed to hold a traveler's clothing and personal articles

she placed her grip in the train's overhead rack and seated herself comfortably

Synonyms & Similar Words

• suitcase
• wallet
• backpack
• carryall
• traveling bag
• handbag
• carry-on
• briefcase
• luggage
• portmanteau
• bags
• holdall
• kit
• duffel bag
• attaché
• attaché case
• overnight bag
• kit bag
• baggage
• rucksack
• carpetbag
• knapsack
• valise
• haversack
• weekend bag
• traveling case
• cosmetic case
• packsack
• weekender

2

as in grasp

the act or manner of holding

get a better grip on the lid and try to open the jar again

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grasp
• hold
• clasp
• clench
• handhold
• handgrip
• leverage
• footing
• hug
• grab
• grapple
• purchase
• foothold
• anchorage
• seizure
• embrace
• toehold
• clinch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• release
• relinquishment

3

as in understanding

the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something

he has a good grip on basic Spanish grammar and spelling

Synonyms & Similar Words

• understanding
• grasp
• appreciation
• perception
• comprehension
• awareness
• hold
• apprehension
• absorption
• percipience
• uptake
• digestion
• conception
• consciousness
• assimilation
• realization
• visualization
• enlightenment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incomprehension
• misunderstanding
• noncomprehension
• misperception
• misinterpretation
• misapprehension
• miscomprehension

4

as in control

the right or means to command or control others

a tyrant that keeps the masses tightly in his grip

Synonyms & Similar Words

• control
• power
• sway
• dominion
• reign
• arm
• authority
• clutch
• mastery
• jurisdiction
• command
• sovereignty
• death grip
• hold
• influence
• rein(s)
• dominance
• leverage
• voice
• pull
• management
• privilege
• clout
• weight
• direction
• right
• supremacy
• importance
• predominance
• prerogative
• imperium
• moment
• eminence

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• powerlessness
• impotence
• weakness
• helplessness
• impotency

5

as in handle

a part by which an implement is held

bought new pots with heat-resistant grips

Synonyms & Similar Words

• handle
• hilt
• handgrip
• shaft
• bow
• loop
• haft
• helve
• bar
• bail
• handlebar
• crop
• broomstick
• whipstock

grip

2 of 2

verb

ˈgrip 

1

as in to clutch

to have or keep in one's hands

gripped the handlebars tightly and raced down the hill

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clutch
• hold
• clench
• grab
• carry
• cradle
• cling (to)
• hold on to
• take
• grasp
• handle
• hang on to
• trap
• snatch
• capture
• finger
• feel
• hug
• seize
• hook
• clasp
• grapple
• land
• catch
• nail
• bag
• snare
• snap (up)
• embrace
• collar
• bear
• latch (on or onto)
• paw
• corral
• nab

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hand
• give
• drop
• unclasp
• relinquish
• release
• yield
• render
• deliver
• unhand
• cede
• turn over
• hand over
• give up
• hand out

2

as in to fascinate

to hold the attention of as if by a spell

that true crime story gripped me as much as any whodunit

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fascinate
• enchant
• thrill
• arrest
• hypnotize
• catch up
• mesmerize
• entrance
• spellbind
• enthrall
• charm
• bedazzle
• engage
• involve
• absorb
• engross
• enrapture
• bewitch
• beguile

3

as in to interest

to hold the attention of

that movie will grip any true sports car fan

Synonyms & Similar Words

• interest
• intrigue
• occupy
• immerse
• busy
• involve
• fascinate
• engage
• attract
• absorb
• engross
• catch up
• enwrap
• distract
• charm
• catch one's eye
• preoccupy
• bemuse
• enchant
• enthrall
• allure
• obsess
• captivate
• hypnotize
• monopolize
• mesmerize
• hog
• bewitch
• beguile

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bore
• weary
• pall
• tire
• jade

4

as in to grasp

to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms

the baby gripped my fingers and wouldn't let go

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grasp
• hold
• take
• clasp
• clutch
• lay hold of
• clench
• hang on to
• hold on (to)
• catch
• cling (to)
• snatch
• seize
• nab

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• release
• free
• drop
• discharge
• liberate
• hand
• give
• relinquish
• transfer
• pass
• deliver
• transmit
• turn over
• hand over
• entrust
• unhand

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of grip

Noun

This past month, when the entire city was in the grip of basketball mania, my eyes have felt newly refreshed by the abundance of royal blue and traffic-cone orange on the streets. — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 3 July 2026

But for all the celebrations, there are also serious safety considerations as potentially record heat grips much of the Midwest and East Coast. — Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026

Verb

Scorching temperatures in the 90s have gripped the city for the past several days, with the mercury hitting 100 degrees in Central Park on Thursday afternoon. — Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026

The 250th anniversary of American independence is colliding with a country gripped by political polarization and a heat wave bearing down on millions of people across multiple states as celebrations get underway across the United States on Saturday. — Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2026

Phrases Containing grip

• death grip
• have a grip on