1
as in grip
the act or manner of holding
was simply unable to break my opponent's viselike grapple and lost the wrestling match
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in struggle
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
after a grapple with his conscience, he confessed to having an affair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to wrestle
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
2
as in to grab
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grapple
Brittney Melton, NPR, 31 Jan. 2025
But even as the old guard grapples with how to engage with a second Trump presidency, a new intraparty battle is emerging in Ohio, a state once known for its swingy politics but which has become reliably Republican since Trump emerged as the GOP’s leader.
—Jeremiah Poff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 10 Dec. 2024
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
Walmart's push shows how rising geopolitical tensions are set to reshape global supply chains and pile pressure on U.S. consumers already grappling with cost-of-living stresses.
—arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Noun
The sci-fi game grapples with trauma and communities in crisis.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 31 Jan. 2025
But even as the old guard grapples with how to engage with a second Trump presidency, a new intraparty battle is emerging in Ohio, a state once known for its swingy politics but which has become reliably Republican since Trump emerged as the GOP’s leader.
—Jeremiah Poff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
One project, Jonathan Spector’s Eureka Day, centers on a private school grappling with an outbreak of the mumps, as parents and administrators weigh what to do amid the anti-vaccination movement.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025
Walmart's push shows how rising geopolitical tensions are set to reshape global supply chains and pile pressure on U.S. consumers already grappling with cost-of-living stresses.
—arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grapple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapple
Noun
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An optional Photography Kit can be bought to improve pictures, which includes a camera grip case, an external 2000mAh battery and more controls.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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But Ukraine has still managed to retain its grip on a chunk of territory, including the town of Sudzha, around six miles from the Ukrainian border.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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At that point, Zelenskyy interjected, bringing up the struggles his country has faced over the last decade, prompting Vance and Trump to shout at the Ukrainian president.—
Molly Nagle,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2025
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Kansas has to do a good job communicating on ball screens — a struggle at various points this season — and force Texas Tech to take tough shots.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But federal courts are wrestling with the fallout, blocking some of the actions at least temporarily.—
Joey Garrison,
USA TODAY,
9 Mar. 2025
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Many capable, accomplished women live in the ‘not enough’ trap, wrestling daily with a nagging sense of inadequacy.—
Margie Warrell,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Tari Eason scored 14 points and Dillon Brooks added 12. Sabonis’ injury Sabonis grabbed his left hamstring while running the floor just over a minute into the game.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacramento Bee,
2 Mar. 2025
-
Lozano exited the match in the 28th minute after appearing to grab his left hamstring.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Market trends, competition and external disruptions are beyond leaders’ influence, but effort, mindset and response to challenges are fully within our grasp.—
James DiNardo,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
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As the killer evades the grasp of both Cristina and the police, the missives become more pervasive, changing form, at once taunting and tormented, philosophical and unhinged.—
Katie Kitamura,
New York Times,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As a digital balloting closed earlier Sunday, Carney received the overwhelming majority of the 150,000 members of the Liberal Party than any other contender in the short leadership battle.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
9 Mar. 2025
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Whoever challenges for the Democrat nomination will have half an eye on the national battle, where the economy, security and national pride are likely to outweigh liberal issues.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Attendees pose in front of Halloween decorations, then scramble to catch a photo beneath artificial snow nearby.—
Julius Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2025
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Florida Dolphin Found 'In Distress' Later Diagnosed with Bird Flu, Study Finds Colleen Talty, a marine biologist with Monterey Bay Whale Watch, also told the AP that many people come to Monterey from all over the world to try to catch a glimpse of the elusive northern right whale dolphin.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But, while the trial is just beginning, Moderna noted in a financial update in February that the trial has been put on hold by the Food and Drug Administration due to a possible neurological side effect in one participant.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
6 Mar. 2025
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He’s also shown that as easily as tariffs could get implemented, they could get put on hold just as quickly.—
Vicki M. Young,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapple. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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