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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grapple
Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
While the rest of the traditional media space grapples with an ever-woozier paradigm shift, the NFL seems to have achieved a sort of homeostasis.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 13 Dec. 2024
Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
This time around, Republicans will be grappling not only with a historically slim margin in the House, but also a president prone to sudden changes of heart.
—Andrew Duehren, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for grapple 
Noun
As much of the tech industry grapples with how to integrate artificial intelligence into its products, dating companies are weighing how the technology could usher in a significant shift in the way people connect and meet online.
—Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
While the rest of the traditional media space grapples with an ever-woozier paradigm shift, the NFL seems to have achieved a sort of homeostasis.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
California is grappling with several wildfires driven by powerful Santa Ana winds, causing widespread evacuations, infrastructure damage, and a continuing state of emergency.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
This time around, Republicans will be grappling not only with a historically slim margin in the House, but also a president prone to sudden changes of heart.
—Andrew Duehren, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
Noun
-
There are a couple of programmable buttons around back, rumble motors in the grips, and a handy multi-function button.Simon Hill, WIRED, 10 Jan. 2025
-
Much of the Midwest has been in the grips of severely cold temperatures, with thick snow falling across many states.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Interviewed two days later at the side of the Pacific Coast Highway, Edwards still bore the marks of the struggle.Will Carless, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
-
The average cost for a child’s diapers is about $1,200 a year, and half the families in the U.S. struggle to afford them, according to the National Diaper Bank Network.Michael Cuglietta, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Incoming Trump officials are now wrestling with the logistics — to say nothing of the financial burden — of rounding up and removing that population size.Christopher White, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2025
-
In the past several years, Hollywood has wrestled with what constitutes acceptable advocacy.Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Zar rushed to a drawer and grabbed from it passports, as well as insurance and banking documents.Ray Sanchez, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025
-
So grab your favorite streaming device, line up some snacks, and let the enchantment unfold.Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Cyber Skills Need To Match Modern Threats To keep pace with threats, cyber professionals must have a strong grasp on the tactics of today's bad actors and the proper measures to defend against them.Todd Moore, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
-
Fubo, which is sports-focused with an emphasis on giving cord-cutters a way to watch their local teams, had argued Venu would have solidified those three networks’ grasp on sports broadcasts and create an uncompetitive market.David Matthews, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Osbourne didn't share much about her treatment, but this update comes on the heels of her recent battle with a high fever over the holidays.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
-
For the past two and a half years, the battle for the future of L.A.’s Fairfax Avenue corridor has been raging between economic powerhouses.David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Having the capability of catching the Starship booster is crucial for SpaceX, giving the company a completely reusable vehicle that is able to fly again.Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
-
Betts, 32, ran to try to catch the ball, but Capobianco and Hansen reached over the fence to stop him from making the play.Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
That was until this month, when President Joe Biden signed legislation ordering the Corps to put its plans on hold and consider a simpler solution: Stop using the dams for electricity.Tony Schick, ProPublica, 16 Jan. 2025
-
And the reality is that both presidents have limited options to put the ban on hold.Elizabeth Schulze, ABC News, 16 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near grapple
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share