1
as in grips
the act or manner of holding
was simply unable to break my opponent's viselike grapple and lost the wrestling match
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in struggles
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 wrestles
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 grabs
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 grapples
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Apr. 2026
Ritchson's 81 grapples with a severe case of survivor's guilt after watching his brother die in Afghanistan.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Four days of grapples, reversals and takedowns are on deck at Grand Casino Arena.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 2026
As the entertainment industry in general and Hollywood in particular grapples with the heartbreaking deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner over the weekend, tributes to the beloved couple continue to pour in far and wide.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2025
How One Battle After Another grapples with the best ways to wage a revolution.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
The matches are intense, with powerful throws and strategic grapples, and the crowd's energy adds to the electric atmosphere.
—NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
Ghesquière said the approach stood out as fashion grapples with the advances of new technologies.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, United Airlines slashed its full-year earnings outlook yesterday as the air carrier grapples with soaring fuel costs.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
Magid delivers its recommendations as TV-news grapples with some severe challenges.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
The attack claimed 168 lives, including 19 children, and left a lasting scar on families, first responders and an entire nation that still grapples with the tragedy decades later.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
Now, the spotlight swings back to Jefferson City as the Royals weigh their decision and the state grapples with a major budget shortfall.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
If selected, Schwartz would step into the role as the agency grapples with controversial policy changes under Kennedy.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
Sacramento County reported six new cases of measles Wednesday as the region grapples with an uptick in cases.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The two are close for years, particularly as Dunham grapples with public scrutiny, but their relationship grows strained as the seasons pass, especially when Konner insists that she should be paid the same salary as Dunham.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
Engineers will equip it with specialized tools, including grapples, cutters, and buckets.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Apr. 2026
Ritchson's 81 grapples with a severe case of survivor's guilt after watching his brother die in Afghanistan.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Four days of grapples, reversals and takedowns are on deck at Grand Casino Arena.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 2026
As the entertainment industry in general and Hollywood in particular grapples with the heartbreaking deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner over the weekend, tributes to the beloved couple continue to pour in far and wide.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2025
How One Battle After Another grapples with the best ways to wage a revolution.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
The matches are intense, with powerful throws and strategic grapples, and the crowd's energy adds to the electric atmosphere.
—NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
Ghesquière said the approach stood out as fashion grapples with the advances of new technologies.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
This enthusiasm comes even as the party grapples with record-low voter approval ratings.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, United Airlines slashed its full-year earnings outlook yesterday as the air carrier grapples with soaring fuel costs.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026
Magid delivers its recommendations as TV-news grapples with some severe challenges.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
The attack claimed 168 lives, including 19 children, and left a lasting scar on families, first responders and an entire nation that still grapples with the tragedy decades later.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
Now, the spotlight swings back to Jefferson City as the Royals weigh their decision and the state grapples with a major budget shortfall.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
If selected, Schwartz would step into the role as the agency grapples with controversial policy changes under Kennedy.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
Sacramento County reported six new cases of measles Wednesday as the region grapples with an uptick in cases.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The two are close for years, particularly as Dunham grapples with public scrutiny, but their relationship grows strained as the seasons pass, especially when Konner insists that she should be paid the same salary as Dunham.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapples
Noun
-
Either way, regulars are probably coming to grips with a glass-half-empty feeling.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The controller’s matte finish provides a solid connection to the comfortable palm grips, which are angled to naturally position your thumbs easily over the thumbsticks and face buttons.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His personal struggles growing up with an absent dad and being a young man of color who comes from a low-income family soon take a toll on him.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Horner's mother testified last week, telling the jury about her own struggles with drugs and spending parts of Horner's childhood in jail.—
Steven Rosenbaum,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Esperanza junior, who wrestles at 113 pounds, strained a knee during the Doc Buchanan tournament in Clovis in January.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
22 Apr. 2026
-
This is definitely something that every fan wrestles with.—
Dan Shanoff,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ebuehi starts to drive away as the officer reaches out and grabs Ebuehi and the scooter.—
Naveen Dhaliwal,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The zookeeper grabs him and delivers the line of the year.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Through universal intelligent manipulation, the robot autonomously plans grasps, adjusts force in real time, and navigates obstacles using seamless hand–eye coordination.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The Hurricanes needed that to happen after the game nearly slipped out of their grasps.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Over the course of three decades, multiple law enforcement agencies tried to crack the case as conspiracy theories involving complex gang and music-related rivalries swirled.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The film traces his long-running bid to step out of Chun’s shadow and claim the top seat himself, examining the web of alliances, rivalries, and institutional maneuvers that defines his ascent.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This is terrific value for the Jets — Taylor could be an instant-impact three-down weapon who catches a bunch of passes for a long time.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Lemon is highly productive (79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season) and an ace at yards after catch but would be a bit of a surprising pick at 11 because 1).—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That means the knock-down, drag-out government shutdown battles that have become a Washington ritual are, in effect, a fight over a little more than a quarter of the federal ledger.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Marr's legal battles with State Farm started in 1999, when Marr says the insurer denied a claim that a friend filed for tornado damage.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grapples.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapples. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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