Synonyms of grasp

grasp 1 of 2

noun

1

as in control

the ability to direct the course of something

for a time it looked like most of Europe would be within Hitler's grasp

Synonyms & Similar Words

• control
• hand(s)
• hold
• direction
• arm
• helm
• power
• grip
• mastery
• clutch
• jurisdiction
• command
• sway
• dominion
• management
• might
• running
• government
• administration
• operation
• domination
• guidance
• supervision
• governance
• regulation
• authority
• oversight
• superintendence

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• weakness
• helplessness
• impotence
• powerlessness
• impotency

2

as in grip

the act or manner of holding

during the roller coaster ride, my date clutched my arm with a deathlike grasp

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grip
• hold
• clasp
• handhold
• clench
• leverage
• grapple
• purchase
• handgrip
• grab
• foothold
• anchorage
• embrace
• seizure
• footing
• hug
• toehold
• clinch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• release
• relinquishment

3

as in understanding

the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something

I think I finally have a grasp of Spanish grammar

Synonyms & Similar Words

• understanding
• appreciation
• perception
• comprehension
• grip
• awareness
• hold
• apprehension
• percipience
• absorption
• conception
• uptake
• digestion
• realization
• consciousness
• assimilation
• visualization
• enlightenment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incomprehension
• misunderstanding
• misinterpretation
• misperception
• misapprehension
• noncomprehension
• miscomprehension

grasp

2 of 2

verb

ˈgrasp 

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

• understand
• know
• comprehend
• appreciate
• fathom
• possess
• apprehend
• perceive
• ken
• follow
• have
• cognize
• savvy
• catch on (to)
• pick up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misunderstand
• misinterpret
• misapprehend
• misconceive
• misperceive
• misknow

2

as in to hug

to put one's arms around and press tightly

the departing soldier grasped his children a little closer than usual

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hug
• clasp
• cling
• cradle
• embrace
• grab
• hold
• enfold
• wrap
• grip
• crush
• bear-hug
• enclasp
• strain
• clamp
• bosom
• pat
• encircle
• fold
• lock
• envelop
• entwine
• snuggle
• stroke
• pet
• fondle
• enwind
• embosom
• twine
• nuzzle
• cuddle
• nestle

3

as in to hold

to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms

the attendant grasped my arm and steered me towards the door

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hold
• grip
• take
• clasp
• lay hold of
• catch
• clutch
• hang on to
• clench
• seize
• hold on (to)
• snatch
• cling (to)
• nab

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• release
• liberate
• discharge
• drop
• free
• give
• hand
• pass
• relinquish
• deliver
• transfer
• transmit
• entrust
• turn over
• hand over
• intrust
• unhand

4

as in to know

to have a clear idea of

the emergency operator finally grasped what he was trying to tell her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• understand
• know
• comprehend
• decipher
• recognize
• see
• appreciate
• realize
• discern
• get
• sense
• perceive
• conceive
• apprehend
• seize
• assimilate
• make
• dig
• decode
• grok
• catch
• behold
• twig
• intuit
• register
• tumble (to)
• make out
• cotton (to or on to)
• compass
• catch on (to)
• fathom
• cognize
• pick up on
• savvy
• absorb
• digest
• penetrate
• take in
• pierce

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• misunderstand
• misread
• misinterpret
• mistake
• misconstrue
• misconceive
• misapprehend
• misperceive

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

Recent Examples of grasp

Noun

The league may be a Liverpool romp, but a Champions League spot is in Forest’s grasp. —Sam Settleman, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025

Corey is what Davids calls an anomaly due to his quick grasp of the game. —Annie Ham, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2025

Verb

During Brazil’s own Lollapalooza music festival last month, for example, fashion-forward attendees were seen with minimalist, lightweight phone straps that kept devices at hip level and hands free to grasp a drink of choice. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025

Although all 92 clubs use the same player registration system, there are differences in Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) that need to be grasped. —Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025