GRAPPLES (WITH) Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

grapples (with)

verb

present tense third-person singular of grapple (with)

as in addresses

to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently a medical ethicist who grapples with extremely difficult questions all the time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grapples (with)

Verb

The suit, set for trial in early March, addresses three markets of concern — cable programming, blockbuster movies and wide release movies.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026
Newport addresses this through the lens of concentration—which the author positions as a critical skill in a modern workplace filled with competing demands and distractions.

— John Hall, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of addresses

Verb

The mall’s owners had sold the property to the Centurion Foundation, which manages real estate and development for universities and hospitals.

— Savannah Sicurella, AJC.com, 24 Aug. 2026
An improbable preparation that somehow manages to be immediately familiar and comforting, this cheeseburger fried rice is a little peek into all the fun going down at Agnes and Sherman in Houston, one of our Best New Restaurants of 2026.

— Nick Wong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of manages

Verb

In healthcare, for example, an admissions department that once required 10 people may need two as AI handles referral summaries, reimbursement assessments and coordination workflows.

— Dave Wessinger, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
O’Brien’s report was not entirely negative, and the auditor’s office found that how Denver handles project management is generally effective, though there’s room for improvement.

— Katie Langford, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of handles

Verb

An anxiety ring is a piece of jewelry with a spinning band, bead or textured surface that the wearer manipulates with their fingers as a discreet grounding tool.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026
The drug was created by evil businessman Roland Daggett who manipulates Hagen to take over Wayne Enterprises.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 23 July 2026

Definition of manipulates

Verb

However, what’s entirely unexpected is the sparrow continuing to fly around even when Hal takes his ring back.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
When the job takes her to an eastern Colorado cattle ranch, Jane notices that the family’s young daughter has precocious breast development as a result of the hormones the operation uses.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of takes

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.

Browse Nearby Words

grapples

grapples (with)

grapple (with)

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Grapples (with).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grapples%20%28with%29. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of grapples (with)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

devolve

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes