1
as in understood
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hugged
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 held
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 knew
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
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Recent Examples of grasped
Whether Assad grasped this is impossible to know.
—
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
And on top of it all, a social platform has merged where the AI agents can gather to compare notes, with implications that have yet to be fully grasped.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
Multiple responders then grasped the canine by the neck and back to lift it onboard, during which the dog could be heard slightly whimpering.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Smaller cowbells can be grasped and shaken by little hands.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the last 24 hours is that Weiss appears not to have totally grasped the firestorm her decision would provoke.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 23 Dec. 2025
Sympathetic business leaders have also grasped new opportunities to amplify illiberal narratives for global audiences.
—Nic Cheeseman, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
As grippers, two exoskeleton sections grasped delicate items like tomatoes as well as rigid objects like pens.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025
For the outro, Solís and Karol grasped hands and did a sweet dance.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
And on top of it all, a social platform has merged where the AI agents can gather to compare notes, with implications that have yet to be fully grasped.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
Multiple responders then grasped the canine by the neck and back to lift it onboard, during which the dog could be heard slightly whimpering.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Smaller cowbells can be grasped and shaken by little hands.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the last 24 hours is that Weiss appears not to have totally grasped the firestorm her decision would provoke.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 23 Dec. 2025
Sympathetic business leaders have also grasped new opportunities to amplify illiberal narratives for global audiences.
—Nic Cheeseman, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
As grippers, two exoskeleton sections grasped delicate items like tomatoes as well as rigid objects like pens.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025
For the outro, Solís and Karol grasped hands and did a sweet dance.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasped
Verb
-
It must be understood that historical references to this team are like prompts on an online dating profile — not under any circumstances to be taken seriously, but a fun jumping off point.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The complication is not well understood but appears to be the result of the virus prompting the immune system to attack a certain protein that some brain cells produce.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hudson turned heads at the The Beverly Hilton red carpet in her off-the-shoulder Erdem silk gown, which hugged her body through the knee and featured an unexpected distressed accent with a raw seam on her neckline and visible stitching on the frayed hem.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Bowe hugged her coaches before disappearing off the ice.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.—
Daniel S. Levine,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Young knew almost instantly the tracks belonged to a river otter.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Fennell knew the film hinged on the casting of Cathy and Heathcliff, two iconic literary characters who have been portrayed by a multitude of actors over the years, including Laurence Olivier, Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Place your forearms on the ground, with your elbows under your shoulders and palms clasped together, forming a fist.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Each had a sidearm clasped in both hands.—
Scott Eden,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The leadership change comes as the country remains gripped by gang violence, with armed groups controlling large swaths of Port-au-Prince.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Her baffling disappearance has gripped the nation, leading many Americans to question how an octogenarian leading a sleepy life in the Southwest was taken while her neighbors were asleep.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The company expects a little more of an impact in its Q2, but Cook said it’s fully comprehended in the above Street outlook of 48% to 49%.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Passengers in front and behind us whispered, a few stood up, and some clung to the bars and handles.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Though Wisconsin can't claim the first one (New York City and London vie for that accolade), the Badger State has clung to the tradition most wholeheartedly.—
Ron Faiola,
Midwest Living,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grasped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasped. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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