grapple

American  

[grap-uhl] / ˈgræp əl /

verb (used without object)

grappled, grappling

1. to hold or make fast to something, as with a grapple.

2. to use a grapple.

3. to seize another, or each other, in a firm grip, as in wrestling; clinch.

4. to engage in a struggle or close encounter (usually followed bywith ).

   He was grappling with a boy twice his size.

5. to try to overcome or deal (usually followed bywith ).

   to grapple with a problem.

   Synonyms:

   tussle, cope, wrestle, contend, struggle

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verb (used with object)

grappled, grappling

1. to seize, hold, or fasten with or as with a grapple.

2. to seize in a grip, take hold of.

   The thug grappled him around the neck.

noun

1. a hook or an iron instrument by which one thing, as a ship, fastens onto another; grapnel.

2. a seizing or gripping.

3. a grip or close hold in wrestling or hand-to-hand fighting.

4. a close, hand-to-hand fight.

grapple British  

/ ˈɡræpəl /

verb

1. to come to grips with (one or more persons), esp to struggle in hand-to-hand combat

2. to cope or contend

   to grapple with a financial problem

3. (tr) to secure with a grapple

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noun

1. any form of hook or metal instrument by which something is secured, such as a grapnel

2. 1. the act of gripping or seizing, as in wrestling

   2. a grip or hold

3. a contest of grappling, esp a wrestling match

Other Word Forms

• grappler noun
• intergrapple verb
• ungrappled adjective

Etymology

Origin of grapple

1520–30; apparently a frequentative of Old English gegrǣppian to seize; associated with grapnel

Example Sentences

A farmer has warned that it is "inevitable" that the cost of potatoes in shops will increase as producers grapple to cope with the impact of the conflict in the Middle East.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

Since global supply chains continue to grapple with dynamic challenges, Becker says the company is well-positioned to continue layering value-added services, keeping it financially viable over the next several years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Joanna Fabicon, who has lectured on contemporary children’s literature at UCLA, added that educators, librarians and publishers must all grapple with the allegations against Chávez and decide how to move forward.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

Bond markets are now having to grapple with the rising odds of a rate hike, and pricing benchmark two-year note yields some 20 basis points north of the effective fed-funds rate.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

Whenever she cracked one system, more challenging ones rose to take its place—and day after day, she was forced to grapple with them alone.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Related Words

• confront
• contend
• cope