1
as in wrestled
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
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2
as in grabbed
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
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Recent Examples of grappled
Alone on California’s coast at age 26, Avery grappled with many questions.
—
Aaron Gilbreath, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
The formative years of Dylan’s career took place in the 1960s, a decade that the artist chronicled and grappled with through his topical songs.
—Grant Wong, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
As the country grappled with a complex history with race after the 2020 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Osbourne and ex-close friend Underwood had in on-air argument that led to the Brit's ouster from the show in March 2021.
—Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
Departing National Theatre artistic chief Rufus Norris’ final show as NT leader will be a return of the Alecky Blythe and Adam Cork verbatim musical London Road, about how townsfolk in Ipswich, Suffolk grappled with a serial killer in their midst.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 20 Dec. 2024
Discount chains, including Dollar Tree, this year have grappled with weak demand and strong competition from big-box retailers like Walmart and e-commerce sellers like PDD Holding ‘s Temu, which have managed to give steep discounts and appeal to price-conscious consumers across a range of incomes.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
At home, Biden’s presidency grappled with its own battles.
—Lenwood V. Long, Sr., Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
As Cutler and Dawson grappled with Ait-Nouri, a second incident was unfolding behind them as Wolves striker Matheus Cunha clashed with a member of Ipswich staff responsible for security.
—Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024
And as companies have grappled with the difficulty of actually aligning with net-zero emissions goals, many have backtracked their ambitions.
—Justin Worland, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024
Aaron Gilbreath, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
The formative years of Dylan’s career took place in the 1960s, a decade that the artist chronicled and grappled with through his topical songs.
—Grant Wong, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
As the country grappled with a complex history with race after the 2020 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Osbourne and ex-close friend Underwood had in on-air argument that led to the Brit's ouster from the show in March 2021.
—Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
Departing National Theatre artistic chief Rufus Norris’ final show as NT leader will be a return of the Alecky Blythe and Adam Cork verbatim musical London Road, about how townsfolk in Ipswich, Suffolk grappled with a serial killer in their midst.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 20 Dec. 2024
Discount chains, including Dollar Tree, this year have grappled with weak demand and strong competition from big-box retailers like Walmart and e-commerce sellers like PDD Holding ‘s Temu, which have managed to give steep discounts and appeal to price-conscious consumers across a range of incomes.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024
At home, Biden’s presidency grappled with its own battles.
—Lenwood V. Long, Sr., Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
As Cutler and Dawson grappled with Ait-Nouri, a second incident was unfolding behind them as Wolves striker Matheus Cunha clashed with a member of Ipswich staff responsible for security.
—Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024
And as companies have grappled with the difficulty of actually aligning with net-zero emissions goals, many have backtracked their ambitions.
—Justin Worland, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grappled
Verb
-
Receiver Jalen McMillan had an apparent touchdown pass wrestled away from him in the end zone by defensive back Jourdan Lewis, resulting in an interception.—
Rick Stroud,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
-
The Brutalist, a number of works released this year wrestled with the crushing inhumanity of immigrating to America.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Multiple officers grabbed Kerley and attempted to take him to the ground.—
Zach Powell,
The Athletic,
4 Jan. 2025
-
On their way out the door, Kinch grabbed the pistol and placed it in the console of his truck.—
Joshua Kaplan,
ProPublica,
4 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Few can match the circumstances of this particular Egg Bowl, in which Ole Miss receiver Elijah Moore caught an apparent tying touchdown from Matt Corral with four seconds left and celebrated by impersonating a dog urinating in the end zone.—
Joe Rexrode,
The Athletic,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Herbert has caught fire, and the passing offense has lifted off.—
Daniel Popper,
The Athletic,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Adebayo did not force his offense, in a game where there was little for the Heat to have to counter in the middle, but then seized control with his scoring late.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Before Hamas seized full control of Gaza in 2007, Christians would often place a large Christmas tree near a major square in Gaza City.—
Aaron Boxerman,
New York Times,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The biggest gap came in the number of undrafted players who landed NHL contracts.—
Allan Mitchell,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
-
Hamill’s column landed on newsstands hours before Carter began his appearance in front of the General Assembly.—
Cary Goodman,
New York Daily News,
5 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
When he was captured, the suspect had a lighter in his pocket.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Photos captured the couple cozying up to one another as Chalamet celebrated the launch of his latest movie.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
31 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near grappled
Cite this Entry
“Grappled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grappled. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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