grapple
verb (used without object)
to hold or make fast to something, as with a grapple.
grappled
-
past participleof grapple.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
-
past tense formof grapple.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
grappleverb (used without object)to hold or make fast to something, as with a grapple.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She said demand for help from the charity had risen as households grappled with multiple financial pressures.
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026
Coxon, who previously worked at Anthropic’s competitor OpenAI, noted that OpenAI had not grappled with “the civilizational stakes.”
From Salon ● Sep. 12, 2026
States have grappled for years with how to regulate social-media platforms, such as TikTok and Instagram, that have become incredibly popular among young users.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
I’d been watching a rerun of the E! show from a bedbug-ridden townhome in Downtown Los Angeles, and earlier that day I grappled with whether I should pay my parking debt or buy a burrito.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026
As he grappled with the table, the brilliant red bird bobbled slightly and raised her wings for balance, chirping irritably.
From "The Reader" by Traci Chee
