1
as in suitcase
a bag carried by hand and designed to hold a traveler's clothing and personal articles
she placed her grip in the train's overhead rack and seated herself comfortably
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in grasp
the act or manner of holding
get a better grip on the lid and try to open the jar again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in understanding
the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something
he has a good grip on basic Spanish grammar and spelling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in control
the right or means to command or control others
a tyrant that keeps the masses tightly in his grip
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to clutch
to have or keep in one's hands
gripped the handlebars tightly and raced down the hill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to fascinate
to hold the attention of as if by a spell
that true crime story gripped me as much as any whodunit
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to interest
to hold the attention of
that movie will grip any true sports car fan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to grasp
to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms
the baby gripped my fingers and wouldn't let go
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grip
Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Still, Iran has its own weapon pointed at the global economy, with its grip on the Strait of Hormuz.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 28 Apr. 2026
The fleeting scene, captured by a motion‑sensitive camera, showed a young Sumatran orangutan pause at the forest’s edge, grip a rope with deliberate care and step out into open air.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grip
Noun
Undefeated Marist maintains its longtime grip on top spot, while Oak Forest enters the rankings.
—Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Still, Iran has its own weapon pointed at the global economy, with its grip on the Strait of Hormuz.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
Her back stiffens, and her usually stoic face is visibly gripped by fear.
—Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 28 Apr. 2026
The fleeting scene, captured by a motion‑sensitive camera, showed a young Sumatran orangutan pause at the forest’s edge, grip a rope with deliberate care and step out into open air.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grip
Noun
-
There’s a trolley sleeve on the back to slip over a suitcase, and the waterproof material will keep your items protected no matter how rough the TSA is with it.—
Olivia Dubyak,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
-
These included suitcases full of videogames and electronics, private shopping trips to toy stores, exclusive visits to theme parks, introductions to other celebrities, and interstate and international travel.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The premium denim brand said Eram’s natural grasp of silhouette, construction, and overall attitude fits perfectly with Icon Denim’s vision of pushing denim beyond its traditional boundaries.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
To wriggle out of Joseph’s grasp, Michael hires a brash young lawyer, John Branca, played by Miles Teller, who lends the coolly confident character a delightfully rough edge.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There’s a lack of humility, a lack of dignity, a lack of understanding of the world, a lack of embracing other perspectives.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Essentially, the Patriots are adding a bunch of elite athletes with the understanding and confidence that their coaching staff will get the most out of them.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Fiber-optic drones are not piloted via, for example, GPS signals or radio control.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Why mosquito control matters beyond the bites For most gardeners, mosquitoes are about comfort — or the lack of it.—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Once Chevrolet gets a handle on its new car, that should help Trackhouse and RCR rebound, but in the meantime, the path forward for each is an arduous one.—
Jordan Bianchi,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The stickers are also used as backups in case the main, larger tags applied around handles fall off or are damaged.—
Joey Skladany,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For more of a statement finish, Clooney also accessorized the look with gold pieces, such as a Begum Khan clutch and pointy metallic pumps.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Rockets have played incrementally better in each game this series, going from a basic blowout in Game 1 to clutch time in Game 2 to leading with roughly 30 seconds to go in Game 3.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The idea was likened to a national version of unearthing an ancient Egyptian tomb and expected to fascinate audiences.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Alicia Johnson, who lives in Onarga in Iroquois County, said she was fascinated by the neighborhood.—
Janice Neumann,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The fact that both CBS News and CNN will be under the new corporate roof, however, makes the involvement of Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf interests a sensitive point.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
-
There’s something easy about sweet that doesn’t interest me.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grip. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
