grapple

UK: /ˈgræp^əl/ US: /ˈgræpəl/ ,(grap′əl)

Inflections of 'grapple' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

grapples

v 3rd person singular

grappling

v pres p

grappled

v past

grappled

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

grap•ple /ˈgræpəl/   v., -pled, -pling, n. 
v. 

1. to struggle with by holding, gripping, or wrestling;
   come to grips: [no object]
   The two wrestlers grappled in the ring.
   [~ + with]
   He grappled with his attacker.
2. to try to overcome or deal:
   [~ + with] to grapple with a problem.

n. [countable]

3. Nautical, Naval Terms grapnel (def. 1).

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

grap•ple  (grap′əl), v., -pled, -pling, n. 
v.i. 

1. to hold or make fast to something, as with a grapple.
2. to use a grapple.
3. to seize another, or each other, in a firm grip, as in wrestling;
   clinch.
4. to engage in a struggle or close encounter (usually fol. by with):
   He was grappling with a boy twice his size.
5. to try to overcome or deal (usually fol. by with):
   to grapple with a problem.

v.t. 

6. to seize, hold, or fasten with or as with a grapple.
7. to seize in a grip, take hold of:
   The thug grappled him around the neck.

n. 

8. Nautical, Naval Terms a hook or an iron instrument by which one thing, as a ship, fastens onto another;
   grapnel.
9. a seizing or gripping.
10. a grip or close hold in wrestling or hand-to-hand fighting.
11. a close, hand-to-hand fight.

• 1520–30; apparently a frequentative of Old English gegrǣppian to seize; associated with grapnel

grap′pler, n. 
Synonyms

• 5. struggle, contend, wrestle, cope, tussle.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

grapple / ˈɡræp^əl/ verb

1. to come to grips with (one or more persons), esp to struggle in hand-to-hand combat
2. (intransitive) followed by with: to cope or contend: to grapple with a financial problem
3. (transitive) to secure with a grapple

noun

1. any form of hook or metal instrument by which something is secured, such as a grapnel
2. the act of gripping or seizing, as in wrestling
3. a grip or hold

Etymology: 16th Century: from Old French grappelle a little hook, from grape hook; see grapnel

ˈgrappler noun