GRAPPLE

Pronunciation (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does grapple mean? 

• GRAPPLE (noun)
  The noun GRAPPLE has 3 senses:

1. a tool consisting of several hooks for grasping and holding; often thrown with a rope
2. a dredging bucket with hinges like the shell of a clam
3. the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat

  Familiarity information: GRAPPLE used as a noun is uncommon.

• GRAPPLE (verb)
  The verb GRAPPLE has 2 senses:

1. come to terms or deal successfully with
2. to grip or seize, as in a wrestling match

  Familiarity information: GRAPPLE used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• GRAPPLE (noun)

Meaning:

A tool consisting of several hooks for grasping and holding; often thrown with a rope

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

grappling iron; grappling hook; grapple; grapnel; grappler

Hypernyms ("grapple" is a kind of...):

tool (an implement used in the practice of a vocation)

Meronyms (parts of "grapple"):

claw; hook (a mechanical device that is curved or bent to suspend or hold or pull something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "grapple"):

crampon; crampoon (a hinged pair of curved iron bars; used to raise heavy objects)

Meaning:

A dredging bucket with hinges like the shell of a clam

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

clamshell; grapple

Hypernyms ("grapple" is a kind of...):

dredging bucket (a bucket for lifting material from a channel or riverbed)

Meaning:

The act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

grappling; hand-to-hand struggle; wrestle; wrestling; grapple

Context examples:

they had a fierce wrestle / we watched his grappling and wrestling with the bully

Hypernyms ("grapple" is a kind of...):

struggle (strenuous effort)

• GRAPPLE (verb)

Meaning:

Come to terms or deal successfully with

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

make do; grapple; get by; cope; manage; deal; contend; make out

Context examples:

We got by on just a gallon of gas / They made do on half a loaf of bread every day

Hypernyms (to "grapple" is one way to...):

act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "grapple"):

extemporize; improvise (manage in a makeshift way; do with whatever is at hand)

fend (try to manage without help)

cut; hack (be able to manage or manage successfully)

rub along; scrape along; scrape by; scratch along; squeak by; squeeze by (manage one's existence barely)

cope with; match; meet (satisfy or fulfill)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Meaning:

To grip or seize, as in a wrestling match

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

grapple; grip

Context example:

the two men grappled with each other for several minutes

Hypernyms (to "grapple" is one way to...):

clutch; prehend; seize (take hold of; grab)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s PP