1
as in control
the ability to direct the course of something
for a time it looked like most of Europe would be within Hitler's grasp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grip
the act or manner of holding
during the roller coaster ride, my date clutched my arm with a deathlike grasp
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in understanding
the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something
I think I finally have a grasp of Spanish grammar
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to understand
to have a practical understanding of
he just doesn't grasp how important it is that he call when he'll be late
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to hug
to put one's arms around and press tightly
the departing soldier grasped his children a little closer than usual
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to hold
to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms
the attendant grasped my arm and steered me towards the door
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to know
to have a clear idea of
the emergency operator finally grasped what he was trying to tell her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grasp
Sam Settleman, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Corey is what Davids calls an anomaly due to his quick grasp of the game.
—Annie Ham, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2025
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Although all 92 clubs use the same player registration system, there are differences in Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) that need to be grasped.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grasp
Noun
The league may be a Liverpool romp, but a Champions League spot is in Forest’s grasp.
—Sam Settleman, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Corey is what Davids calls an anomaly due to his quick grasp of the game.
—Annie Ham, Charlotte Observer, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
During Brazil’s own Lollapalooza music festival last month, for example, fashion-forward attendees were seen with minimalist, lightweight phone straps that kept devices at hip level and hands free to grasp a drink of choice.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Although all 92 clubs use the same player registration system, there are differences in Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) that need to be grasped.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasp
Noun
-
The Hanged Man asks you to fully surrender control and embrace this chapter of stillness.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 May 2025
-
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Her son sported a pair of jeans and a blue shirt, with a pair of white grip socks on his feet.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
For the past four years, Mr. Tay has denounced China’s tightening grip on Hong Kong and the disappearance there of democratic freedoms.—
Norimitsu Onishi,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Rather, given Cascadian ecology—the primary focus of Carr’s images—understandings of her imaginative creations might also be constructed irrespective of nation: an artist seen primarily in relation to her place, itself her subject.—
Emily Zarevich,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Dragonfly, if successful, could revolutionize our understanding of how life might arise elsewhere in the solar system.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
And also, just understanding [Annie and Smoke’s] love, the depth of their love.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Long train trips were designed for those who understand the old adage of appreciating the journey, not just the destination.—
Ellen Carpenter,
AFAR Media,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
James scurried after and hugged both his father and grandfathers' legs.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
-
Whitmer hugged Trump at the event, less than one month after she was photographed hiding her face at an Oval Office meeting with the president.—
Jonathan Easley,
The Hill,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
At the lowest income levels, only about 13% of households held retirement accounts in 2022, according to the federal Survey of Consumer Finances.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Every child in New York deserves the chance to learn basic literacy, numeracy, science, and civics — skills essential for participating in society, holding a job, and fulfilling civic duties like voting or serving on a jury.—
David Bloomfield,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Francis, who took his name after Saint Francis of Assisi, was known for his outreach to the poor and those in poverty and that will be reflected in his minimalist burial at Saint Mary Major.—
Kevin Shalvey,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Okay, Emily’s mom knows her as faith and is referring to some mysterious fire.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
When Cyclists Made Up an Entire Political Bloc Erin Blakemore August 26, 2018 The League of American Wheelmen was originally intended to spread bicycle appreciation.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Home value appreciation in 40513 was on par with the No. 2 most expensive ZIP code: 41.7% over five years, from $383,166 in March 2020 to $542,888 in March 2025.—
Andrew DePietro,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasp. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share