1
as in wrestled
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
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2
as in grabbed
to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly
a crane grappled the sunken boat and hoisted it above water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grappled
Hopkins grappled with a roller coaster of emotions — disbelief, sadness, anger and confusion.
—
Julianna Bragg, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025
The families of the three men have grappled with the uncertain nature of their deaths and the online speculation and theories that have swirled since.
—Adam Carlson, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
Americans have grappled with an affordable housing crisis for years, and now Europe’s major cities are struggling with a similar problem.
—Liz Alderman, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
The company, like other health insurers last year, grappled with rising medical costs in its health plans.
—Bruce Japsen, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Firefighters overnight grappled with extreme fire behavior, challenging terrain, strong winds and low humidity.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Since taking office in 2022, Yoon, a conservative, has grappled with near-constant frictions with the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, which has used its majority status at the assembly to obstruct his agenda and impeach some of his top officials.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
After going quiet briefly as emergency responders grappled to contain the multiple fires that destroyed entire neighborhoods and killed at least 27 people, De Laurentiis broke her silence.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
But those plans never came to fruition as the station grappled with the high costs of moving downtown.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 21 Jan. 2025
Julianna Bragg, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025
The families of the three men have grappled with the uncertain nature of their deaths and the online speculation and theories that have swirled since.
—Adam Carlson, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
Americans have grappled with an affordable housing crisis for years, and now Europe’s major cities are struggling with a similar problem.
—Liz Alderman, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
The company, like other health insurers last year, grappled with rising medical costs in its health plans.
—Bruce Japsen, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Firefighters overnight grappled with extreme fire behavior, challenging terrain, strong winds and low humidity.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Since taking office in 2022, Yoon, a conservative, has grappled with near-constant frictions with the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, which has used its majority status at the assembly to obstruct his agenda and impeach some of his top officials.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
After going quiet briefly as emergency responders grappled to contain the multiple fires that destroyed entire neighborhoods and killed at least 27 people, De Laurentiis broke her silence.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
But those plans never came to fruition as the station grappled with the high costs of moving downtown.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 21 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grappled
Verb
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Receiver Jalen McMillan had an apparent touchdown pass wrestled away from him in the end zone by defensive back Jourdan Lewis, resulting in an interception.—
Rick Stroud,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
-
The Brutalist, a number of works released this year wrestled with the crushing inhumanity of immigrating to America.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The victim told cops the suspect grabbed her from behind, put her in a bear hug, and grinded against her before escaping down the street.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2025
-
If the only avenue for someone grabbed off the street to even present evidence contesting the government’s claims is through a complicated federal habeas claim as they’re getting rushed onto a plane, when many won’t even have lawyers, that’s effectively nothing.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacramento Bee,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Don’t get caught with faulty outdoor gear this spring.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Adebayo did not force his offense, in a game where there was little for the Heat to have to counter in the middle, but then seized control with his scoring late.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Before Hamas seized full control of Gaza in 2007, Christians would often place a large Christmas tree near a major square in Gaza City.—
Aaron Boxerman,
New York Times,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
When Las Vegas landed an NHL expansion franchise in 2016, the soon-to-be Golden Knights heavily invested in the in-game experience.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
-
An estimated 90,000 claims landed on insurers’ desks from hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton last year, costing companies as much as $5 billion, Brannon said.—
Shauna Muckle,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The cosmic whirlpool was captured in stunning video and appears to have been created by the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket booster falling back toward Earth, according to experts.—
Michael Dorgan,
Fox News,
25 Mar. 2025
-
The French Football Federation’s social media team captured his return to Clairefontaine, where he was shown sharing an embrace with Deschamps moments after crossing the famous chateau’s threshold.—
Tom Williams,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grappled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grappled. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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