1
as in suitcases
a bag carried by hand and designed to hold a traveler's clothing and personal articles
she placed her grip in the train's overhead rack and seated herself comfortably
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in grasps
the act or manner of holding
get a better grip on the lid and try to open the jar again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in understandings
the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something
he has a good grip on basic Spanish grammar and spelling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in controls
the right or means to command or control others
a tyrant that keeps the masses tightly in his grip
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in handles
a part by which an implement is held
bought new pots with heat-resistant grips
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in clutches
to have or keep in one's hands
gripped the handlebars tightly and raced down the hill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fascinates
to hold the attention of as if by a spell
that true crime story gripped me as much as any whodunit
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in interests
to hold the attention of
that movie will grip any true sports car fan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in holds
to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms
the baby gripped my fingers and wouldn't let go
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of grips
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
26 June 2026
For me, the purpose of art is to come to grips with the demons of the past, present, and future; to give form to chaos; to enable us to process fear; and to conceive of a different, more humane future.
—
Zehra Jumabhoy,
Artforum,
25 June 2026
Concurrently, the Metcalf family is coming to grips with the world having access to the graphic and disturbing audio and visuals that Collin County Courts made public.
—
Kelsie Cairns,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2026
Coming to grips Prepare for sparks to fly.
—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
Each two-tone nonslip pot holder is made from high-quality cotton that keeps your hands protected and a silicone grips to prevent any slipping.
—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 June 2026
In video shared by the outlet, Stewart grips surfaces for support while singing before motioning to a crew member, who brings over an oxygen tank and places the mask over his nose and mouth.
—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
21 June 2026
The latter adds features such as heated grips, a tire-pressure monitoring system, an adjustable windscreen, cornering lights, and a luggage rack.
—
Utkarsh Sood
june 16,
New Atlas,
16 June 2026
Several nations are advancing efforts toward digital independence and are also teaming up to counter Washington’s and Beijing’s tightening grips over the technology.
—
Tasneem Nashrulla,
semafor.com,
14 June 2026
Madeline Merinuk,
PEOPLE,
20 June 2026
Together with slight pressure from your foot, the claw head and pedal penetrates soil, grips the weed, and pulls it straight out of the ground from its roots.
—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
18 June 2026
In one example, the robot grips a can sideways, a simple mistake that could lead to spills, showing that human-like understanding remains limited.
—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
Fast forward to today and those fears have materialized with dizzying speed as a historic oil and gas crisis sparked by the US and Israel’s war with Iran grips the world.
—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
This shoe is also outfitted with a high-traction outsole that effectively grips the ground for a stable landing every time.
—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Apr. 2026
DeepSeek, the Chinese AI startup challenging the leaders of Silicon Valley, posted a cluster of job openings for specialists in agentic artificial intelligence and other positions, as enthusiasm for the technology that can carry out tasks without human intervention grips China.
—
Saritha Rai,
Bloomberg,
24 Mar. 2026
The race begins with a rigorous climb up a mountain on skis fitted with a special fabric skin that grips the snow as the athletes sprint uphill.
—
Rob Marciano,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
The community held a candlelight vigil to pray for Nancy Guthrie's safe return as the baffling case grips the nation.
—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
The loudest crash of gravitational waves ever heard has offered us insight into event horizons, the boundaries beyond which nothing can escape the grips of black holes.
—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
26 June 2026
For me, the purpose of art is to come to grips with the demons of the past, present, and future; to give form to chaos; to enable us to process fear; and to conceive of a different, more humane future.
—
Zehra Jumabhoy,
Artforum,
25 June 2026
Concurrently, the Metcalf family is coming to grips with the world having access to the graphic and disturbing audio and visuals that Collin County Courts made public.
—
Kelsie Cairns,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2026
Coming to grips Prepare for sparks to fly.
—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
Each two-tone nonslip pot holder is made from high-quality cotton that keeps your hands protected and a silicone grips to prevent any slipping.
—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 June 2026
In video shared by the outlet, Stewart grips surfaces for support while singing before motioning to a crew member, who brings over an oxygen tank and places the mask over his nose and mouth.
—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
21 June 2026
The latter adds features such as heated grips, a tire-pressure monitoring system, an adjustable windscreen, cornering lights, and a luggage rack.
—
Utkarsh Sood
june 16,
New Atlas,
16 June 2026
Several nations are advancing efforts toward digital independence and are also teaming up to counter Washington’s and Beijing’s tightening grips over the technology.
—
Tasneem Nashrulla,
semafor.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
This Laura Geller hydrating primer creates a silky-smooth canvas that grips your foundation for all-day wear.
—
Madeline Merinuk,
PEOPLE,
20 June 2026
Together with slight pressure from your foot, the claw head and pedal penetrates soil, grips the weed, and pulls it straight out of the ground from its roots.
—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
18 June 2026
In one example, the robot grips a can sideways, a simple mistake that could lead to spills, showing that human-like understanding remains limited.
—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Apr. 2026
Fast forward to today and those fears have materialized with dizzying speed as a historic oil and gas crisis sparked by the US and Israel’s war with Iran grips the world.
—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
This shoe is also outfitted with a high-traction outsole that effectively grips the ground for a stable landing every time.
—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Apr. 2026
DeepSeek, the Chinese AI startup challenging the leaders of Silicon Valley, posted a cluster of job openings for specialists in agentic artificial intelligence and other positions, as enthusiasm for the technology that can carry out tasks without human intervention grips China.
—
Saritha Rai,
Bloomberg,
24 Mar. 2026
The race begins with a rigorous climb up a mountain on skis fitted with a special fabric skin that grips the snow as the athletes sprint uphill.
—
Rob Marciano,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
The community held a candlelight vigil to pray for Nancy Guthrie's safe return as the baffling case grips the nation.
—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grips
Noun
-
Select suitcases and travel bags are marked down right now, including 20% off the Odyssey carry-on, the expandable backpack, and this puffy tote.
-
Streamline your next summer getaway with hard-side suitcases, roomy weekender totes, and crossbody bags.
Noun
-
Through universal intelligent manipulation, the robot autonomously plans grasps, adjusts force in real time, and navigates obstacles using seamless hand–eye coordination.
-
The Hurricanes needed that to happen after the game nearly slipped out of their grasps.
Noun
-
The ruling has long been criticized as out of step with basic understandings of the law, and the court later refused to extend the exemption to other sports, including football, basketball and boxing.
-
The Constitution’s language ruled out neither of those understandings.
Noun
-
Gartner has predicted that more than 40% of agentic AI projects will be canceled by 2027 over escalating costs, unclear value or weak risk controls.
-
Work begins on JetZero’s first demonstrator This aircraft is intended to prove JetZero’s calculations on aerodynamics, structures, manufacturing, and flight controls.
Noun
-
Attendees swap numbers and Instagram handles, but friendships and unexpected community ties form just as often.
-
Other modifications include a one-piece floor, improved hold-down handles and reduced bulk, Steber said.
Verb
-
In the midst of handing the job over to his son, even as Diego is making a speech about water supplies, hygiene and education, Don Alejandro snatches it back to cheers, clutches his heart and dies.
-
In it, Marilyn clutches the pillow toward her, revealing her disarming fragility.
Verb
-
There is something magical about a firefly that fascinates young and old alike.
-
There is something about the play Harvey that fascinates me, especially for right now.
Verb
-
These are novels about bohemian communities of friends and lovers and artistic collaborators, which is a big part of what interests me about AIDS activism.
-
What interests me more is what has changed, which is the very substance of capital.
Cite this Entry
“Grips.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grips. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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