grasp
1 of 2verb
ˈgrasp 
grasped; grasping; grasps
intransitive verb
: to make the motion of seizing : clutch
grasping for support
transitive verb
1
: to take or seize eagerly
grasp the opportunity for advancement
2
: to clasp or embrace especially with the fingers or arms
grasped the pen and began writing
3
: to lay hold of with the mind : comprehend
failed to grasp the danger of the situation
graspable
ˈgra-spə-bəl
adjective grasper noun
grasp
2 of 2noun
1
a
: handle
b
: embrace
2
: hold, control
kept a firm grasp on the rope
3
a
: the reach of the arms
The books on the top shelf were beyond my grasp.
b
: the power of seizing and holding or attaining
success lay within their grasp
4
: mental hold or comprehension especially when broad
a remarkable grasp of the subject
Synonyms
Verb
- comprehend
- know
- understand
Noun
- control
- hand(s)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb I grasped the end of the rope and pulled as hard as I could. I grasped the rope by its end. His arthritis is so bad he can barely grasp a pencil. Noun The author shows a weak grasp of military strategy. The books on the top shelf are just beyond my grasp. She moved the toy to within the baby's grasp. She felt the solution was within her grasp. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 1 Aug. 2022 An illustration shows the process by which Rice University mechanical engineers turn deceased spiders into necrobotic grippers, able to grasp items when triggered by hydraulic pressure. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 29 July 2022 There’s quite a bit to grasp in this endeavor, so start small and progress one photon at a time. Eric Adams, Popular Mechanics, 15 July 2022 Connie Dabate’s family reached out to grasp one another in the courtroom as the jury delivered the verdict. Taylor Hartz, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2022 But when would have Stark been able to grasp the complexity of the multiverse like that? Chris Smith, BGR, 13 May 2022 Two men grasp a third whose mouth opens in agony, consumed by a raw, animalistic rage, in a vertical tangle. Holly Jones, Variety, 9 May 2022 Not ever really fully being able to grasp that kind of desperation. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 8 Feb. 2022 Some people are able to quickly grasp numbers in spreadsheets, but others are not. Derek Steer, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2021 Casey Michel, The New Republic, 16 Sep. 2022 Along the way, Watson, a seventh-round pick who wouldn’t have been starting but for a teammate’s injury, slipped the desperate grasp of Herbert, who made a futile attempt of tackling him. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2022 One example: Echols should have had two sacks in the opener against San Diego State but allowed Braxton Burmeister to escape his grasp. Michael Lev, The Arizona Republic, 15 Sep. 2022 After coin-flipping enthusiast Lance Hornsby (Josh Hamilton) took all the communities (Alexandria, the Hilltop, Oceanside) by force, those able to escape his grasp are now homeless and on the run. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2022 Circulating this essay, David summarized, Tolkien knew that the grasp for ultimate power meant that the contest between good and evil would be transformed into a contest between evils. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 6 Sep. 2022 The film centers around a writer (Brie Larson) who has been blessed with an amazing idea only to lose grasp of it when the phone rings. Rodney Ho, ajc, 5 Sep. 2022 Director Castille Landon shot the third and fourth entries back-to-back during the pandemic with Bulgaria standing in for the various locations, which perhaps accounts for the film’s faltering grasp on time and place. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 4 Sep. 2022 Now was the time to strike while the iron was hot or forever be chasing contract reconstruction always outside our grasp. Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Aug. 2022 See More
Verb
That concept is easier for most people to grasp in the case of a hurricane, Reed said. Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 1 Aug. 2022 An illustration shows the process by which Rice University mechanical engineers turn deceased spiders into necrobotic grippers, able to grasp items when triggered by hydraulic pressure. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 29 July 2022 There’s quite a bit to grasp in this endeavor, so start small and progress one photon at a time. Eric Adams, Popular Mechanics, 15 July 2022 Connie Dabate’s family reached out to grasp one another in the courtroom as the jury delivered the verdict. Taylor Hartz, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2022 But when would have Stark been able to grasp the complexity of the multiverse like that? Chris Smith, BGR, 13 May 2022 Two men grasp a third whose mouth opens in agony, consumed by a raw, animalistic rage, in a vertical tangle. Holly Jones, Variety, 9 May 2022 Not ever really fully being able to grasp that kind of desperation. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 8 Feb. 2022 Some people are able to quickly grasp numbers in spreadsheets, but others are not. Derek Steer, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2021 Noun
Russia ordered the execution of one Bashkir for every Bashkir who tried to flee the long grasp of Russian colonization. Casey Michel, The New Republic, 16 Sep. 2022 Along the way, Watson, a seventh-round pick who wouldn’t have been starting but for a teammate’s injury, slipped the desperate grasp of Herbert, who made a futile attempt of tackling him. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2022 One example: Echols should have had two sacks in the opener against San Diego State but allowed Braxton Burmeister to escape his grasp. Michael Lev, The Arizona Republic, 15 Sep. 2022 After coin-flipping enthusiast Lance Hornsby (Josh Hamilton) took all the communities (Alexandria, the Hilltop, Oceanside) by force, those able to escape his grasp are now homeless and on the run. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2022 Circulating this essay, David summarized, Tolkien knew that the grasp for ultimate power meant that the contest between good and evil would be transformed into a contest between evils. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 6 Sep. 2022 The film centers around a writer (Brie Larson) who has been blessed with an amazing idea only to lose grasp of it when the phone rings. Rodney Ho, ajc, 5 Sep. 2022 Director Castille Landon shot the third and fourth entries back-to-back during the pandemic with Bulgaria standing in for the various locations, which perhaps accounts for the film’s faltering grasp on time and place. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 4 Sep. 2022 Now was the time to strike while the iron was hot or forever be chasing contract reconstruction always outside our grasp. Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English graspen
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Noun
1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing grasp
Kids Definition
grasp 1 of 2
verb
ˈgrasp
grasped; grasping
1
: to seize and hold with or as if with the hand
grasp a bat
You must grasp the opportunity.
2
: to make the motion of seizing
She grasped at branches as she fell.
3
: understand sense 1
He quickly grasped the idea.
grasp
2 of 2noun
1
: a grip of the hand
Keep a firm grasp on the rope.
2
: control entry 2 sense 1, hold
The land was in the grasp of a tyrant.
3
: the power of seizing and holding : reach
He put the tools beyond the child's grasp.
4
: understanding entry 1 sense 1
She has a good grasp of math.
grasp 1 of 2
noun
1
as in control
the ability to direct the course of something for a time it looked like most of Europe would be within Hitler's grasp Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- control
- hold
- hand(s)
- direction
- grip
- arm
- power
- helm
- mastery
- clutch
- might
- sway
- command
- jurisdiction
- dominion
- running
- management
- administration
- government
- operation
- guidance
- domination
- governance
- supervision
- authority
- regulation
- oversight
- superintendence
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- helplessness
- weakness
- powerlessness
- impotence
- impotency
2
as in grip
the act or manner of holding during the roller coaster ride, my date clutched my arm with a deathlike grasp Synonyms & Similar Words
- grip
- hold
- clasp
- grapple
- handhold
- clench
- leverage
- grab
- foothold
- purchase
- embrace
- handgrip
- anchorage
- toehold
- footing
- clinch
- hug
- seizure
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- release
- relinquishment
3
as in understanding
the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something I think I finally have a grasp of Spanish grammar Synonyms & Similar Words
- understanding
- appreciation
- comprehension
- grip
- perception
- hold
- awareness
- apprehension
- percipience
- conception
- absorption
- realization
- uptake
- consciousness
- digestion
- assimilation
- visualization
- enlightenment
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- incomprehension
- misunderstanding
- misperception
- misinterpretation
- misapprehension
- noncomprehension
- miscomprehension
grasp
2 of 2verb
1
as in to understand
to have a practical understanding of he just doesn't grasp how important it is that he call when he'll be late Synonyms & Similar Words
- understand
- know
- comprehend
- fathom
- appreciate
- possess
- apprehend
- perceive
- savvy
- cognize
- ken
- have
- follow
- catch on (to)
- pick up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- misunderstand
- misapprehend
- misconceive
- misinterpret
- misperceive
- misknow
2
as in to clasp
to put one's arms around and press tightly the departing soldier grasped his children a little closer than usual Synonyms & Similar Words
- clasp
- hug
- cling
- embrace
- cradle
- grab
- hold
- enfold
- wrap
- grip
- bear-hug
- crush
- enclasp
- strain
- clamp
- pat
- fold
- bosom
- lock
- encircle
- entwine
- envelop
- stroke
- snuggle
- pet
- enwind
- fondle
- embosom
- twine
- nuzzle
- cuddle
- nestle
3
as in to grip
to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms the attendant grasped my arm and steered me towards the door Synonyms & Similar Words
- grip
- hold
- take
- clasp
- clench
- catch
- clutch
- lay hold of
- snatch
- seize
- hang on to
- nab
- hold on (to)
- cling (to)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- liberate
- release
- hand
- drop
- give
- relinquish
- discharge
- free
- pass
- deliver
- transfer
- entrust
- transmit
- hand over
- intrust
- turn over
- unhand
4
as in to comprehend
to have a clear idea of the emergency operator finally grasped what he was trying to tell her Synonyms & Similar Words
- understand
- comprehend
- know
- decipher
- recognize
- see
- appreciate
- realize
- sense
- discern
- perceive
- get
- conceive
- apprehend
- intuit
- seize
- assimilate
- grok
- dig
- decode
- make
- twig
- savvy
- catch
- behold
- register
- fathom
- make out
- compass
- cognize
- pick up on
- digest
- absorb
- tumble (to)
- catch on (to)
- cotton (to or on to)
- penetrate
- take in
- pierce
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- miss
- misunderstand
- misinterpret
- misread
- misconstrue
- misapprehend
- mistake
- misconceive
- misperceive
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of grasp are clutch, grab, seize, snatch, and take. While all these words mean "to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand," grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession.
grasp the handle and pull
The synonyms clutch and grasp are sometimes interchangeable, but clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding.
clutching her purse
Grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch.
grabbed roughly by the arm
While in some cases nearly identical to grasp, seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible.
seized the suspect
Snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize.
snatched a doughnut and ran
While the synonyms take and grasp are close in meaning, take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control.
take some salad from the bowl
- constant of gravitation
- constant of nutation
- constant of precession
- constant white
- constant-level watering
- constantan
- constantans
- constanter
- constantest
- constantia
- Constantine
- Constantine I
- constantinian
- Constantinian monogram
- constantinople
- constantinoples
- Constantinopolitan
- constantlier
- constantliest
- constantly
- constantness
- constants
- Constanţa
- constat
- constatation