grapple

verb
UK: /ˈɡræpəl/
US: /ˈɡræpəl/

  1. To struggle or fight, especially in a close or physical way.

    1. I had to grapple with him to get my bag back.
    2. The report forces companies to grapple with difficult ethical questions about privacy.

  2. To try to deal with or understand a difficult problem or subject.

    1. He is grappling with the decision of whether to move or not.
    2. Many schools are grappling with a shortage of qualified teachers in key subject areas.

Synonyms

wrestle struggle contend combat fight grip catch clasp
grapple noun

  1. A hand-to-hand fight or struggle.

    1. They fell to the ground in a grapple.
    2. The wrestlers engaged in a fierce grapple near the edge of the mat.

  2. A tool with hooks used for grabbing or holding.

    1. The treasure hunters used a grapple to pull up the chest from the sea.
    2. The climbers used a grapple attached to a rope to scale the steep rock face.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "grapple" in English means: To struggle or fight, especially in a close or physical way., To try to deal with or understand a difficult problem or subject..

The phonetic transcription of "grapple" is /ˈɡræpəl/ in British English and /ˈɡræpəl/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "grapple": wrestle, struggle, contend, combat, fight, grip, catch, clasp.

Example usage of "grapple": "I had to grapple with him to get my bag back.". More examples on the page.