verb

grapple

GRA-puhl

verb

To struggle hard with a difficult problem or situation.

"The team is still grappling with how to fix the bug."

"She grappled with the decision for weeks before finally choosing."

To grip or wrestle with someone or something physically.

"The two wrestlers grappled on the mat for several minutes."

noun

A hooked tool or clawed device used to grab and hold onto something, such as another boat.

"Sailors threw the grapple to hook the enemy ship's rail."

How to Use Grapple

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo wrestle with something, either physically or mentally, trying hard to get a hold of it or solve it.

Common mistake

Most modern use is figurative (grappling with a problem, not a person) — the literal wrestling sense is now rarer outside combat sports.

Common pairings

grapple with an issue grapple with the problem grappling hook

grappled past tense, grappled past tense, grapples plural, grapples plural, grapples singular, grapples singular

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Can you complete this real example?

She _____ with the decision for weeks before finally choosing.

From Old English/Middle English roots meaning "to seize" — the same family as "grab" and "grasp".

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