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

The film portrays the Mile End music scene that birthed artists like Mac DeMarco, Arcade Fire and Grimes, as Grace grapples with romantic obsession and finding her voice as a writer. —Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024

Vice President Harris is stepping up her outreach to Latino voters in the final days of the election as former President Trump grapples with the fallout from his Madison Square Garden rally. —Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024

Verb

Now, the City Council is grappling with the aftermath of the latest developments, alongside routine matters of governance. —Bracey Harris, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024

But the series also grapples with deep wells of complication around the costs of political violence, even when it’s carried out in the name of a just cause. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 14 Nov. 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