grasp 1 of 2

grasp

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to understand
to have a practical understanding of he just doesn't grasp how important it is that he call when he'll be late

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4

Synonym Chooser

How is the word grasp different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of grasp are clutch, grab, seize, snatch, and take. While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.

grasp the handle and pull

When might clutch be a better fit than grasp?

The synonyms clutch and grasp are sometimes interchangeable, but clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.

clutching her purse

How are the words grab and snatch related as synonyms of grasp?

Grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.

grabbed roughly by the arm

When is it sensible to use seize instead of grasp?

While in some cases nearly identical to grasp, seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.

seized the suspect

How do snatch and seize relate to one another, in the sense of grasp?

Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.

snatched a doughnut and ran

When could take be used to replace grasp?

While the synonyms take and grasp are close in meaning, take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.

take some salad from the bowl

Example 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 grasp
Noun
At 42-23, the Knicks have a firm grasp of the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference but continue to deal with the crushing loss of Jalen Brunson to an ankle injury a week prior. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025 Pressure: Touch yourself using different tempos, firmer grasps, pushes, and pulls. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
Many of them were repeating outdated rhetoric and didn’t seem to really grasp how the world was changing and how a different kind of leadership was needed to respond to those changes. The Dial, 18 Mar. 2025 Instead, Grimes has grasped the opportunity to play extended minutes with both hands. Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasp
Noun
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The move seemed to seal his fate, as Brady took top control and dominated another round.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The 19-lap sprint race at the Shanghai International Circuit saw teams suffer from tire wear towards the final stages of the race, courtesy of the fresh asphalt that has enhanced grip levels.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Darcy Kuemper made 17 saves in his fifth straight start to help Los Angeles tighten its grip on a playoff spot.
    Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • There’s a tender dynamic between the two, a kind of sublimated love that comes from mutual understanding.
    Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Once again, Mexico seemed to have an understanding of how to manage a testy Concacaf game.
    Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Pure understands enterprise storage administrators and the overall enterprise data landscape.
    Matt Kimball, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Picou understands some spoken French and wants to speak the language herself, but is sometimes too shy to try.
    Aubri Juhasz, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The athlete could also be seen hugging his two sons and walking with an arm around his daughter, with the three siblings later posing with their family in a group shot.
    Hannah Sacks, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • After the buzzer sounded, Pope ran over to hug his wife, Lee Anne, and kissed his daughters near the bench before running off to a TV interview.
    Jesse Temple, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • About two dozen people held signs lambasting the billionaire outside a dealership in London as passing cars and trucks tooted horns in support.
    Michael Liedtke, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025
  • School resource officers will hold training at the city’s schools, and quarterly training for the general community will be planned.
    Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The cause of the fire was not known, the Fire Brigade said.
    Phil Helsel, NBC News, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The key is knowing how to ask the right questions...
    Hessie Jones, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Lopez was moved to tears while addressing the crowd at the Sundance premiere and expressed her appreciation for being involved in the movie musical.
    Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Instead of sporadic, one-off acknowledgments, appreciation becomes a consistent and measurable part of workplace culture — with half the effort but twice the impact.
    Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasp. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on grasp

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!