grapple

About 0.88 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To seize something and hold it firmly.
2. verb To wrestle or tussle.
3. verb To ponder and intensely evaluate a problem; to struggle to deal with.

   to grapple with one's conscience

4. noun A close hand-to-hand struggle.
5. noun The act of grappling.
6. noun A tool with claws or hooks which is used to catch or hold something. A device consisting of iron claws, attached to the end of a rope, used for grasping and holding an enemy ship prior to boarding; a grappling iron. A grapnel (“type of anchor”).
7. noun A device consisting of iron claws, attached to the end of a rope, used for grasping and holding an enemy ship prior to boarding; a grappling iron.
8. noun A grapnel (“type of anchor”).

Similar words

wrestle grip wrestling make do contend cope manage get by grappling hook make out

Often followed by

with in and the for to of successfully them

Word family

grappled grappler grapplers grapples grappling