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
Nardal’s articles also grappled with other pressing issues of the day, including violence and poverty.
—
Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
The company has grappled with manufacturing issues in the US and a surge in sales of copycat drugs when demand for Wegovy outstripped supply.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
The move comes after Meta and the tech industry more broadly have grappled with criticisms from parents and lawmakers that online platforms aren’t doing enough to protect children online.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Café Lisbeth hosts exhibitions on themes of transience and how humans have grappled with life’s passages throughout history.
—Diana Hubbell, Saveur, 16 Oct. 2025
The project is a labor of love for Meyer, who grappled with his own travails acclimating back to civilian life after two deployments to Iraq.
—La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025
According to Hulu, the series will also give viewers a dramatized look into how family members grappled with the legal troubles of the Murdaughs, as well as news of the murders.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
But Memphis has historically grappled with high crime levels, including in 2023 when the city recorded over 340 homicides, according to the Memphis Police Department.
—NPR, 10 Oct. 2025
In the third quarter, signs of business recovery were particularly evident in the key North American market, which had grappled with factors including excess inventories and model transitions that weighed on volumes and market shares in previous quarters.
—Reuters, Freep.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
The company has grappled with manufacturing issues in the US and a surge in sales of copycat drugs when demand for Wegovy outstripped supply.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
The move comes after Meta and the tech industry more broadly have grappled with criticisms from parents and lawmakers that online platforms aren’t doing enough to protect children online.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Café Lisbeth hosts exhibitions on themes of transience and how humans have grappled with life’s passages throughout history.
—Diana Hubbell, Saveur, 16 Oct. 2025
The project is a labor of love for Meyer, who grappled with his own travails acclimating back to civilian life after two deployments to Iraq.
—La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025
According to Hulu, the series will also give viewers a dramatized look into how family members grappled with the legal troubles of the Murdaughs, as well as news of the murders.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
But Memphis has historically grappled with high crime levels, including in 2023 when the city recorded over 340 homicides, according to the Memphis Police Department.
—NPR, 10 Oct. 2025
In the third quarter, signs of business recovery were particularly evident in the key North American market, which had grappled with factors including excess inventories and model transitions that weighed on volumes and market shares in previous quarters.
—Reuters, Freep.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grappled
Verb
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Horne first entered the ring in 1991 and later wrestled for WWE from 1993 until 1996, briefly winning the promotion’s tag team championship in March 1994 alongside the wrestler Mabel.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
-
She was wrestled away from him as her crying children were held back by other agents.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the third quarter, as the Lakers grabbed firm control of the game, Deandre Ayton ignited the crowd by attacking the basket with force.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The teen said Cairo then ordered him to get down on his knees, and at one point grabbed his shoulder in an attempt to push him to the ground – ultimately leaving him feeling threatened, according to WPTV.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When their 30-foot boat caught fire, the Sullivans were forced to swim to shore for safety, according to ABC News.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Combined with an intense summer heat wave, the surge caught many residents off guard, said Alex Ambrose, a transportation and climate policy analyst at New Jersey Policy Perspective.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Gianluca Consentino drilled the go-ahead extra point try, and Avon Old Farms had seized a 29-28 lead with 63 ticks left.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
-
What’s more, after the Velvet Revolution of 1989, Czechs who had their property seized by the state were allowed to reclaim much of it through a restitution system – but not ethnic Germans who lost it under the post-war Benes decrees.—
Will Tizard,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The prison industry is being rapidly expanded, and people, many of whom are immigrants, are literally being snatched off the street.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
-
An emerald necklace and earrings from the matching set of Empress Marie-Louise were also reportedly snatched alongside a reliquary brooch, Empress Eugénie’s diadem and her large corsage-bow brooch.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Droves of them just bought the Barezoey Wide Barefoot Sneakers, which have landed in the top spot on Amazon’s New Releases chart this week.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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Following her high-scoring performance last week, the actress experienced a rib injury that landed her in the hospital.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Abella and her friend Darcie navigate challenges, such as being captured by a bee, the new responsibility of receiving a magic wand, and helping a horse with a toothache, with grace and curiosity.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
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For each sculpture, Tolaas captured molecules present during its material creation, alongside scents drawn from the animals themselves, their habitats and their interactions with humans.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grappled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grappled. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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