grapple

1 of 2

noun

grap·​ple ˈgra-pəl How to pronounce grapple (audio)
1
a
: the act or an instance of grappling
b
: a hand-to-hand struggle
locked in a desperate grapple with his foe
c
: a contest for superiority or mastery
their grapple with tyranny
2
: an instrument for grabbing or gripping something: such as
a
: a bucket (as on an excavating machine) having hinged jaws

grapple

2 of 2

verb

grappled; grappling ˈgra-p(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce grapple (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to seize with or as if with a grapple (see grapple entry 1 sense 2)
2
: to grasp with the hands : wrestle
3
: to bind closely

intransitive verb

1
: to make a ship fast with a grappling hook
2
: to begin to understand or deal with something in a direct or effective way
Officials grappled with an increase in violent crimes.
3
: to use a grapple
grappler noun

Examples of grapple in a Sentence

Noun was simply unable to break my opponent's viselike grapple and lost the wrestling match after a grapple with his conscience, he confessed to having an affair Verb two sumo wrestlers grappling like a pair of mammoth bears a crane grappled the sunken boat and hoisted it above water
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
As the sun sets over Martha’s Vineyard, each member of this eclectic group grapples with their own secrets, desires, and challenges, setting the stage for a summer that none of them will ever forget. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 21 Feb. 2024 There, Morty grapples with his own morality and mortality while befriending an… interdimensional fart. Huntley Woods and Christian Holub, EW.com, 17 Oct. 2023 Manzo’s lawsuit comes as the unscripted genre grapples with labor issues and NDAs following Hollywood’s dual 2023 writers and actors strikes and calls for reality TV stars to unionize, focusing on better compensation and working conditions on reality series. Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2024 The county has no maximum temperature for rental units, an issue advocates say leaves vulnerable renters sweltering in the hot months as California grapples with the effects of climate change and extreme heat. Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2024 As Colorado grapples with how prevalent foster parent intervention has become, other states are taking the intervenor concept further. Eli Hager, ProPublica, 16 Oct. 2023 The song is the title track off the musician’s forthcoming 11th studio LP, out March 29 via The Valory Music Group, and grapples with the future impact of artificial intelligence on humanity and the planet. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 12 Jan. 2024 Streaming Friday, November 10 Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+): In the sixth episode of the limited series, Elizabeth (Brie Larson) grapples with the complexities of her newfound fame. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 5 Nov. 2023 An anxiety-inducing character study that grapples with the performativity of both domestic bliss and enlightened whiteness, the show is most successful as an exploration of the cracks that can grow into fissures when two people can’t see each other clearly. Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 10 Dec. 2023
Verb
Kaduna state, which borders the Nigerian capital Abuja to the southwest, has grappled with recurring incidents of kidnappings for ransom by bandits and has witnessed several mass abductions in recent years, including in the district where LEA Primary and Secondary School is located. Nimi Princewill, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 The decision kicked off a frenzy among patients and doctors grappling with its implications for people attempting to conceive, often after years of struggling to have children. USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 For years, Pien grappled with whether or not to get an official diagnosis out of fears that the record would tarnish and taint her ability to find work in the industry. Diego Ramos Bechara, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 As the scientists and law enforcement continue to investigate the cause of the pelicans' injuries, Frampton and her staff are grappling with the number of birds that have suffered. Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 In the coming years, the board will also grapple with finding a new funding source for affordable housing since Measure A, a $950 million housing bond passed by voters in 2016, is nearly exhausted. Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 Every nation will grapple with the social and economic factors that accompany a graying population. Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 5 Mar. 2024 China is still grappling with its years-long property crisis, as home prices continue to fall despite government support. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 5 Mar. 2024 For some years, the issue of pesticide usage has ignited fervent debate worldwide, with environmentalists, policymakers, and agricultural stakeholders grappling over its impact on ecosystems, human health, and food security. Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grapple.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English grappel grappling hook, from Old French *grappelle, diminutive of grape hook — more at grape

First Known Use

Noun

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of grapple was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near grapple

Cite this Entry

“Grapple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grapple. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

grapple

1 of 2 noun
grap·​ple ˈgrap-əl How to pronounce grapple (audio)
: the act of grappling : grip, hold

grapple

2 of 2 verb
grappled; grappling ˈgrap-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce grapple (audio)
1
: to seize or hold with or as if with a hooked instrument
2
: to seize and struggle with one another
3
: to attempt to deal
grappled with a problem
grappler noun

More from Merriam-Webster on grapple

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