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
Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
With firmer dates in hand, Hyland and others will have a better grasp on whether studying colonial khipus can help crack Inca ones.
—Sam Kean, The Atlantic, 26 May 2025
Katie Bain, Billboard, 30 May 2025
To Pepperstone’s Brown, the reason markets haven’t reacted yet is because investors hadn’t fully grasped the significance of the clause.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for grasp
Noun
Or underestimating her steel-trap memory and grasp on history.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
With firmer dates in hand, Hyland and others will have a better grasp on whether studying colonial khipus can help crack Inca ones.
—Sam Kean, The Atlantic, 26 May 2025
Verb
Separated from its corresponding visual identity, the ears better grasp the music’s nuances.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 30 May 2025
To Pepperstone’s Brown, the reason markets haven’t reacted yet is because investors hadn’t fully grasped the significance of the clause.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for grasp
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasp
Noun
-
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.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
-
Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
15 June 2025
-
Compact and lightweight, the 6.2oz camera fits in one hand, helping even the smallest photographers get a comfortable grip.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
15 June 2025
Noun
-
Additionally, capturing and analyzing vast amounts of data enables a better understanding of customer behavior at a granular level and provides invaluable information for making decisions about content and timing.—
Dane Matheson,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
-
Our goal is not to tell you what to think, but to give you the essential knowledge and understanding to come to your own intelligent conclusions.—
Jon Gambrell,
Christian Science Monitor,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
To understand how the deportation dragnet works, TIME joined ICE officers on a pair of morning raids in the New Orleans area.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
10 June 2025
-
Ranked from the top, they are understood to be The Eastern Gate, The Thaw, Spain’s When No One Sees Us, X-rated Queen, and A Decent Man.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2025
Verb
-
They obviously didn't get hugged enough as children –either of them.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
6 June 2025
-
Hand 103, Bethel, 102 ½. There was bedlam, Hand kids screaming and jumping and yelling and hugging each other.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Toothless holds his own alongside Hiccup, even as the actor appears in what look more like sets than bona fide locations.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
9 June 2025
-
A number of the protesters held high the flags of South American countries like Mexico as the U.S. flag burned on the ground.—
Anders Hagstrom,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2025
Verb
-
As someone who lost their father before doing Top Chef and knowing the fire that can ignite someone going into this competition is unattainable.—
Buddha Lo,
People.com,
13 June 2025
-
Newsom said in a court filing on Thursday that troops had moved beyond those allowable duties to actively assist ICE agents in making arrests, in violation of a federal law known as the Posse Comitatus Act, which is designed to prevent the military from being used as a domestic police force.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
Phoebe Merrick says living in New Zealand has given her a greater appreciation of work-life balance.—
Jennifer Liu
Zachary Green,
CNBC,
5 June 2025
-
Environmental benefits also remain a key motivator, along with a growing appreciation for the smooth, quiet driving experience and the high-tech features found in many modern EVs.—
Melanie Marshall,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grasp.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasp. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share