Grappling — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈgra-p(ə-)liŋ/ grap·pling

Meaning & Definition of Grappling

Grappling (noun)

  1. grapnel
  2. grappling hook

Grappling (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to seize and attempt to unbalance one another for the purpose of achieving physical mastery

    "two sumo wrestlers grappling like a pair of mammoth bears"

    similar: rassling, scuffling, tussling, wrestling
    related: battling, clashing (with), combating, contending, dueling, fighting, warring (against), bashing, battering, beating, buffeting, hitting, punching, slugging, striking, boxing, sparring, brawling, skirmishing

  2. to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly

    "a crane grappled the sunken boat and hoisted it above water"

    similar: bagging, capturing, catching, collaring, copping (slang), corralling, getting, glomming, grabbing, hooking, landing, nabbing, nailing, netting, nobbling (British slang), rapping, seizing, snagging, snapping (up), snaring, snatching, trapping, taking hold (of)
    related: gloving, haltering, lassoing, roping, apprehending, arresting, detaining, baying, cornering, clasping, clutching, fastening (on), fisting, grasping, gripping, holding, latching (on or onto), securing, rending, wresting, enmeshing, ensnaring, entangling, entrapping, meshing, abducting, kidnapping, spiriting (away or off)
    opposite: missing
    near: discharging, freeing, liberating, releasing, dropping, loosening, unhanding

Related Entry: Grapple (verb)

Grapple is a different word from Grappling. The synonyms below are for grapple, not for grappling.

  1. to seize and attempt to unbalance one another for the purpose of achieving physical mastery

    "two sumo wrestlers grappling like a pair of mammoth bears"

    similar: rassle, scuffle, tussle, wrestle
    related: battle, clash (with), combat, contend, duel, fight, war (against), bash, batter, beat, buffet, hit, punch, slug, strike, box, spar, brawl, skirmish

  2. to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly

    "a crane grappled the sunken boat and hoisted it above water"

    similar: bag, capture, catch, collar, cop (slang), corral, get, glom, grab, hook, land, nab, nail, net, nobble (British slang), rap, seize, snag, snap (up), snare, snatch, trap, take hold (of)
    related: glove, halter, lasso, rope, apprehend, arrest, detain, bay, corner, clasp, clutch, fasten (on), fist, grasp, grip, hold, latch (on or onto), secure, rend, wrest, enmesh, ensnare, entangle, entrap, mesh, abduct, kidnap, spirit (away or off)
    opposite: miss
    near: discharge, free, liberate, release, drop, loosen, unhand

Related Entry: Grapple (with) (verb)

Grapple (with) is a different word from Grappling. The synonyms below are for grapple (with), not for grappling.

  1. to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently

    "a medical ethicist who grapples with extremely difficult questions all the time"

    similar: address, contend (with), cope (with), field, hack, handle, manage, maneuver, manipulate, negotiate, play, swing, take, treat, come to grips with, have a grip on
    related: engineer, finesse, jockey, bring off, carry off, carry out, get off, pull, command, direct, guide, steer, control, micromanage, regulate, run, react (to), respond (to)
    near: botch, bungle, foozle, fumble, goof (up), louse up, mess (up), mishandle, muff, scamp

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Grappling

The most common words with a similar meaning to Grappling:

Slang: copping
British slang: nobbling
rassling, scuffling, tussling, wrestling, bagging, capturing, catching, collaring, corralling, getting, glomming, grabbing, hooking, landing, nabbing, nailing, netting, rapping, seizing, snagging, snapping (up), snaring, snatching, trapping, taking hold (of)

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Grappling

Words with the opposite meaning of Grappling:

missing

Related Words for Grappling

battling, clashing (with), combating, contending, dueling, fighting, warring (against), bashing, battering, beating, buffeting, hitting, punching, slugging, striking, boxing, sparring, brawling, skirmishing, gloving, haltering, lassoing, roping, apprehending, arresting, detaining, baying, cornering, clasping, clutching

Near Antonyms of Grappling

discharging, freeing, liberating, releasing, dropping, loosening, unhanding

Origin & Etymology of Grappling

First known use: 1582

Words & Phrases Containing Grappling

grappling hook

Frequently Asked Questions about Grappling

What does "Grappling" mean?

"Grappling" means grapnel. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: grapnel. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Grappling"?

Other words for "Grappling" include rassling, scuffling, tussling, wrestling, bagging, capturing, catching and collaring. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Grappling" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Grappling"?

There are 74 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Grappling". Common alternatives include rassling, scuffling, tussling, wrestling, bagging, capturing, catching, collaring, copping and corralling.

What is the opposite of "Grappling"?

Antonyms of "Grappling" include missing. Near antonyms include discharging, freeing, liberating and releasing.

How do you use "Grappling" in a sentence?

Examples of "Grappling" in a sentence: "two sumo wrestlers grappling like a pair of mammoth bears"; "a crane grappled the sunken boat and hoisted it above water".

Is "Grappling" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Grappling" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Grappling"?

"Grappling" is pronounced /ˈgra-p(ə-)liŋ/ and divided into syllables as grap·pling.

What is the origin of the word "Grappling"?

First known use: 1582.