Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun grapple

3 senses of grapple

Sense 1
grapnel, grapple, grappler, grappling hook, grappling iron -- (a tool consisting of several hooks for grasping and holding; often thrown with a rope)
       => tool -- (an implement used in the practice of a vocation)

Sense 2
clamshell, grapple -- (a dredging bucket with hinges like the shell of a clam)
       => dredging bucket -- (a bucket for lifting material from a channel or riverbed)

Sense 3
wrestle, wrestling, grapple, grappling, hand-to-hand struggle -- (the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat; "they had a fierce wrestle"; "we watched his grappling and wrestling with the bully")
       => struggle -- (strenuous effort; "the struggle to get through the crowd exhausted her")

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb grapple

2 senses of grapple

Sense 1
cope, get by, make out, make do, contend, grapple, deal, manage -- (come to terms with; "We got by on just a gallon of gas"; "They made do on half a loaf of bread every day")
       => act, move -- (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action); "think before you act"; "We must move quickly"; "The governor should act on the new energy bill"; "The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel")

Sense 2
grapple, grip -- (to grip or seize, as in a wrestling match; "the two men grappled with each other for several minutes")
       => seize, prehend, clutch -- (take hold of; grab; "The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter"; "She clutched her purse"; "The mother seized her child by the arm"; "Birds of prey often seize small mammals")