grasped; grasping; grasps
: to make the motion of seizing : clutch
grasping for support
1
: to take or seize eagerly
grasp the opportunity for advancement
2
: to clasp or embrace especially with the fingers or arms
grasped the pen and began writing
3
: to lay hold of with the mind : comprehend
failed to grasp the danger of the situation
grasper
noun
3
a
: the reach of the arms
The books on the top shelf were beyond my grasp.
b
: the power of seizing and holding or attaining
success lay within their grasp
4
: mental hold or comprehension especially when broad
a remarkable grasp of the subject
Synonyms
Examples of grasp in a Sentence
Verb
I grasped the end of the rope and pulled as hard as I could.
I grasped the rope by its end.
His arthritis is so bad he can barely grasp a pencil.
Noun
The author shows a weak grasp of military strategy.
The books on the top shelf are just beyond my grasp.
She moved the toy to within the baby's grasp.
She felt the solution was within her grasp.
Recent Examples on the Web
Humphrey Ho, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Lee Wright, Hobson’s editor at Simon & Schuster, seemed not to have fully grasped that writing fiction was a matter of placing oneself in the shoes of someone else.
—Rachel Gordan, The Conversation, 14 Jan. 2025
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
See all Example Sentences for grasp 
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Verb
In my experience, PE firms rarely grasp the value of strategic marketing.
—Humphrey Ho, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Lee Wright, Hobson’s editor at Simon & Schuster, seemed not to have fully grasped that writing fiction was a matter of placing oneself in the shoes of someone else.
—Rachel Gordan, The Conversation, 14 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
See all Example Sentences for grasp
Dictionary Entries Near grasp
Cite this Entry
“Grasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grasp. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
grasp
1 of 2 verb1
: to make the motion of seizing : clutch
grasp at straws
2
: to clasp or embrace with or as if with the fingers or arms
3
: to lay hold of with the mind : comprehend
failed to grasp its importance
grasper
noun
grasp
2 of 2 noun1
2
: control entry 2 sense 1, hold
land in the grasp of a tyrant
3
a
: the reach of the arms
the tree limb was beyond my grasp
b
: the power of seizing and holding
success lies within their grasp
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