1
as in hands
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 grips
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 understandings
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 understands
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 clasps
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 holds
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 knows
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 grasps
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
Halakhic rulings on divorce, medical emergencies, or conversion involve nuance that no present-day model grasps.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Valeria finally grasps the extent of Manu’s deception after finding Bea dead in her hotel room.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
In each of these use cases, AI that sorts through appropriate, clean datasets—and grasps the full context of the worker’s role, functions and intentions—is the differentiator in deriving quantifiable value.
—Dan Adika, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Del Mazo grasps the importance of rhythm for the page turn, and her pacing is spot-on.
—Barney Saltzberg, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
For sustained success and a secure future in college football’s next edition, nothing is more important than a president who grasps the power of athletics to enhance campus life.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
This might seem obvious, but apparently, not everyone grasps the concept.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2025
The makeup designs on the main and guest cast characterize them almost instantaneously in ways the viewer grasps but doesn’t need to consciously think about.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 5 Feb. 2025
And while the boxing is kinetically directed, Morrison grasps that the movie’s fiercest stands are taken outside the ring, when Claressa — faced with tough choices about her future — asserts herself to the people who need to hear it.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
The Hurricanes needed that to happen after the game nearly slipped out of their grasps.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
Halakhic rulings on divorce, medical emergencies, or conversion involve nuance that no present-day model grasps.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
The photo shows Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce on one knee as Swift grasps his face.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Valeria finally grasps the extent of Manu’s deception after finding Bea dead in her hotel room.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
In each of these use cases, AI that sorts through appropriate, clean datasets—and grasps the full context of the worker’s role, functions and intentions—is the differentiator in deriving quantifiable value.
—Dan Adika, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Del Mazo grasps the importance of rhythm for the page turn, and her pacing is spot-on.
—Barney Saltzberg, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
For sustained success and a secure future in college football’s next edition, nothing is more important than a president who grasps the power of athletics to enhance campus life.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
This might seem obvious, but apparently, not everyone grasps the concept.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2025
The makeup designs on the main and guest cast characterize them almost instantaneously in ways the viewer grasps but doesn’t need to consciously think about.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 5 Feb. 2025
And while the boxing is kinetically directed, Morrison grasps that the movie’s fiercest stands are taken outside the ring, when Claressa — faced with tough choices about her future — asserts herself to the people who need to hear it.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasps
Noun
-
The agents pushed him against a metal fence, put his hands behind his back and twisted his arm, according to the lawsuit.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
As the sun was setting, hundreds of North Texans — many clad in black — gathered with candles and posters in their hands and solidarity in their hearts.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Indeed, both consumers and the auto industry need to come to grips with a stark reality, said Smoke.—
Ed Garsten,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
At least seven National Weather Service (NWS) offices broke low temperature records Monday morning as chilly weather grips much of the United States.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The trial court also applied the new historical practices and understandings test, holding that there was no evidence of a tradition to display the Ten Commandments in public schools permanently.—
Lydia Artz,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
-
But this week’s Platonic is the first official road trip episode, a brisk 24-minute journey during which both of our central characters overcome their denial and come to important understandings.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Athletic understands that another City stalwart, Brian Marwood, has reduced his role to a part-time one.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Deadline understands that Nwodim made the decision after it was thought that the cast for Season 51 was set and ready to go ahead of its October 4 return.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Unrivaled, the women’s 3-on-3 basketball league founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, holds less than 900 fans at the league’s Wayfair Arena home near Miami.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Zhmo Canvas Tote Bag Finding a work bag that checks every box—fits your laptop, holds your lunch and water bottle, keeps things organized, and still looks stylish—is no small feat.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And provided the overall customer experience meets the customer’s expectations, which includes the sales process, ease of doing business, customer support and product quality, why would a customer take a chance on leaving a company that knows them for a company that doesn’t?—
Shep Hyken,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Only God knows what the future will be like, but yes, there is a will to live.—
Ruchi Kumar,
NPR,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Modified plants grew two to three times heavier than controls.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Ten years ago, several sites, including YouTube and Tumblr, also lacked guardrails and only added meaningful parental controls in recent years.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The discovery of relativity and quantum physics has demonstrated that nature at high speeds and small distances behaves in ways very foreign to our sensory perceptions.—
Alan Lightman
September 12,
Literary Hub,
12 Sep. 2025
-
In my experience changing the language is a smart first step to changing consumer perceptions and preferences.—
Jeff Fromm,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grasps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grasps. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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