1
as in grip
the act or manner of holding
was simply unable to break my opponent's viselike grapple and lost the wrestling match
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in struggle
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
after a grapple with his conscience, he confessed to having an affair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to wrestle
to seize and attempt to unbalance one another for the purpose of achieving physical mastery
two sumo wrestlers grappling like a pair of mammoth bears
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to grab
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
a crane grappled the sunken boat and hoisted it above water
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grapple
Ashleigh Jackson, The Hill, 6 Dec. 2024
The South is being targeted by a major winter storm, most of the nation remains gripped by brutal cold, and high winds threaten to fan the flames of killer blazes in Southern California on Tuesday as the U.S. grapples with wild winter weather.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Holt’s exit is the latest in a parade of departures of senior TV-news personnel in recent months as the industry grapples with new economic pressures brought about by the rise of streaming, and contends with a harsh climate for media outlets in the early days of the second Trump administration.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Noun
The slight price hike comes as the fast casual chain grapples with rising costs for key ingredients.
—Ashleigh Jackson, The Hill, 6 Dec. 2024
The South is being targeted by a major winter storm, most of the nation remains gripped by brutal cold, and high winds threaten to fan the flames of killer blazes in Southern California on Tuesday as the U.S. grapples with wild winter weather.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
The political move was widely seen as successful in turning the crisis at the border into a national story, as blue states and cities grappled with an influx of migrants that border states had become accustomed to receiving.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
Holt’s exit is the latest in a parade of departures of senior TV-news personnel in recent months as the industry grapples with new economic pressures brought about by the rise of streaming, and contends with a harsh climate for media outlets in the early days of the second Trump administration.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
Noun
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But breaking the grip that your phone has on you isn’t impossible.—
Aditi Shrikant,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2025
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Its textured bottom grips the floor, preventing the mat from slipping or sliding, while its sloped edge is designed to reduce users’ risk of tripping over the mat.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Considering UConn’s struggles shooting from long range in its losses, the importance of its best 3-point shooter can’t be overstated, especially when Fudd can add drives and pull-up midrangers when defenses chase her off the line.—
Sabreena Merchant,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
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Volpe immersed herself in research before making the film, accompanying nurses on hospital shifts to understand their daily struggles.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Drought breakers With a fourth-place finish in Class 2A at 215 pounds, senior Genesis Ward became Evergreen Park’s first boys wrestling state medalist since 1996.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2025
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But the workers are wrestling with whether having these data will put Americans in danger of being targeted by their own government, the employee said.—
Karen Hao,
The Atlantic,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Then, almost missing the cue, Belushi stepped forward and grabbed the mic stand.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
17 Feb. 2025
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Brendan Coyle made five 3-pointers and grabbed six rebounds.—
Staff And Wire Reports,
Hartford Courant,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
This limits our grasp of their motives and relationships.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
20 Feb. 2025
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Just like a great football game, success in AR takes teamwork, preparation and a firm grasp of strategy.—
Reyne Quackenbush,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The movie, aka Episode III, takes place years after the onset of the Clone Wars, when the noble Jedi Knights lead a massive clone army into a galaxy-wide battle against the Separatists.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
25 Feb. 2025
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The biggest victories in the inflation battle already have occurred, Hoyt said.—
Paul Davidson,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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That changed when polls showed a tightening race and Osborn raised more than $30 million, catching the attention not only of the working class but of organizations such as the Patriotic Millionaires, a group of wealthy Americans seeking an equitable economy.—
Jeffrey Fleishman,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2025
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The train derailment occurred in rural Somerset County where three engines and six train cars from Canadian Pacific Kansas City railway were knocked off the tracks and caught fire, according to the Bangor Daily News.—
James Powel,
USA TODAY,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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What Happens Next Although Trump's tariff threat is temporarily on hold until March, there is no guarantee that it won't be enforced once the 30-day period expires.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
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New rules that could increase California gas prices placed on hold.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacramento Bee,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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