grapple

1 of 2

noun

grap·​ple ˈgra-pəl 

1

a

: the act or an instance of grappling

b

: a hand-to-hand struggle

locked in a desperate grapple with his foe

c

: a contest for superiority or mastery

their grapple with tyranny

2

: an instrument for grabbing or gripping something: such as

a

: a bucket (as on an excavating machine) having hinged jaws

b

: grappling hook

grapple

2 of 2

verb

grappled; grappling ˈgra-p(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to seize with or as if with a grapple (see grapple entry 1 sense 2)

2

: to grasp with the hands : wrestle

3

: to bind closely

intransitive verb

1

: to make a ship fast with a grappling hook

2

: to begin to understand or deal with something in a direct or effective way

Officials grappled with an increase in violent crimes.

3

: to use a grapple

grappler

ˈgra-p(ə-)lər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• clasp
• clench
• grasp
• grip
• handgrip
• handhold
• hold

Verb

• rassle
• scuffle
• tussle
• wrestle

Examples of grapple in a Sentence

Noun

was simply unable to break my opponent's viselike grapple and lost the wrestling match

after a grapple with his conscience, he confessed to having an affair

Verb

two sumo wrestlers grappling like a pair of mammoth bears

a crane grappled the sunken boat and hoisted it above water

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As the impressionable Moon in your money zone grapples with rigid Saturn in your 8th House of Shared Resources, this entity could draw a hard line that excludes you. —Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2024

As California grapples with another season of wildfires, the impact on the state’s insurance market has become increasingly dire. —Mike Zukerman, The Mercury News, 27 July 2024

Verb

Top Concerns Of Top Executives Against this backdrop of change, top executives are grappling with a host of concerns related to supply chain management. —Bill Geary, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

Red Bull is grappling with the possibility of a huge change within their driver lineup, as rumors escalate about Sergio Perez's potential exit before the completion of his contract. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English grappel grappling hook, from Old French *grappelle, diminutive of grape hook — more at grape

First Known Use

Noun

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

grapple

1 of 2 noun

grap·​ple ˈgrap-əl 

: the act of grappling : grip, hold

grapple

2 of 2 verb

grappled; grappling ˈgrap-(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to seize or hold with or as if with a hooked instrument

2

: to seize and struggle with one another

3

: to attempt to deal

grappled with a problem

grappler

-(ə-)lər 

noun