1
as in hands
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grips
the act or manner of holding
during the roller coaster ride, my date clutched my arm with a deathlike grasp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in understandings
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in understands
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
as in clasps
to put one's arms around and press tightly
the departing soldier grasped his children a little closer than usual
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in holds
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in knows
to have a clear idea of
the emergency operator finally grasped what he was trying to tell her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grasps
Dan Adika, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Del Mazo grasps the importance of rhythm for the page turn, and her pacing is spot-on.
—Barney Saltzberg, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
For sustained success and a secure future in college football’s next edition, nothing is more important than a president who grasps the power of athletics to enhance campus life.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
This might seem obvious, but apparently, not everyone grasps the concept.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2025
The makeup designs on the main and guest cast characterize them almost instantaneously in ways the viewer grasps but doesn’t need to consciously think about.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 5 Feb. 2025
And while the boxing is kinetically directed, Morrison grasps that the movie’s fiercest stands are taken outside the ring, when Claressa — faced with tough choices about her future — asserts herself to the people who need to hear it.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
Soaring crime Meanwhile, there’s no sign that Thao grasps the full significance of, and economic fallout from, the city’s crime, which surged last year to levels far higher than at any time in the past two decades.
—East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 10 Oct. 2024
In strategic communication, repeating core elements ensures your audience grasps the essence of your message.
—Sherzod Odilov, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
Verb
In each of these use cases, AI that sorts through appropriate, clean datasets—and grasps the full context of the worker’s role, functions and intentions—is the differentiator in deriving quantifiable value.
—Dan Adika, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Del Mazo grasps the importance of rhythm for the page turn, and her pacing is spot-on.
—Barney Saltzberg, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
For sustained success and a secure future in college football’s next edition, nothing is more important than a president who grasps the power of athletics to enhance campus life.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
This might seem obvious, but apparently, not everyone grasps the concept.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2025
The makeup designs on the main and guest cast characterize them almost instantaneously in ways the viewer grasps but doesn’t need to consciously think about.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 5 Feb. 2025
And while the boxing is kinetically directed, Morrison grasps that the movie’s fiercest stands are taken outside the ring, when Claressa — faced with tough choices about her future — asserts herself to the people who need to hear it.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
Soaring crime Meanwhile, there’s no sign that Thao grasps the full significance of, and economic fallout from, the city’s crime, which surged last year to levels far higher than at any time in the past two decades.
—East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 10 Oct. 2024
In strategic communication, repeating core elements ensures your audience grasps the essence of your message.
—Sherzod Odilov, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasps
Verb
-
Bowles said his team understands the job in front of it.—
Rick Stroud,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Robert Smith understands Chappell Roan‘s concerns about setting boundaries with fans.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In contrast, a co-op owner holds shares in the corporation that owns the building, along with a proprietary lease granting them the sole right to occupy a specific unit.—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Dave Schultz holds the single-season record with 472 for the 1974-75 Broad Street Bullies, while Tiger Williams has the career mark at 3,971.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Gartner’s studies reveal that negative employee perceptions of pay equity, often stemming from authoritative leadership, can result in a 15% decrease in intent to stay, a 13% increase in job searching activity, and a 13% decrease in employee engagement.—
Chris Westfall,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
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Approval ratings can correlate with people's perceptions of the economy so poor economic news can cause Presidents to become unpopular quickly.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Penske recognizes the value of competition brought by Ganassi's re-entry into NASCAR.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Instead, this is about a teenage boy whom the audience recognizes as gay but is completely unaware of his true identity.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Vito, seething and remorseless, grabs at control relentlessly; Frank, in no mood to fight, tries to cede it graciously, resulting in a lopsided tug-of-war.—
Justin Chang,
The New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2025
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Curtis Rowe scores 19 points and Sidney Wicks adds 17 points and grabs 18 rebounds to lead UCLA to an 80-69 victory over Jacksonville for its fourth consecutive NCAA basketball championship.—
Austin Knoblauch,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Of the two that would be acquired through a trade (Suzuki and Robert), Rosenthal sees the latter as being the one who is more available.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Wu appreciates that the genre can be both unexpected and relatable.—
Martha Cheng Gisela Williams Melinda Fakuade Jinnie Lee,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
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Women board members can serve as an important check on both dynamics by fostering a culture that embraces and appreciates diverse viewpoints.—
Committee of 200,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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From the perspective of sentiment, this is the part of the trend where everyone realizes at once the direction of the trend.—
Beth Kindig,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
-
And in this episode, Maddie finally realizes it, too.—
Erin Strecker,
IndieWire,
23 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Grasps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasps. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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