Princeton's WordNet(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. grapnel, grapple, grappler, grappling hook, grappling iron(noun)

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

2. clamshell, grapple(noun)

   a dredging bucket with hinges like the shell of a clam

3. wrestle, wrestling, grapple, grappling, hand-to-hand struggle(verb)

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

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

4. cope, get by, make out, make do, contend, grapple, deal, manage(verb)

   come to terms with

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

5. grapple, grip(verb)

   to grip or seize, as in a wrestling match

   "the two men grappled with each other for several minutes"

Webster Dictionary(5.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Grapple(verb)

   to seize; to lay fast hold of; to attack at close quarters: as, to grapple an antagonist

2. Grapple(verb)

   to fasten, as with a grapple; to fix; to join indissolubly

3. Grapple(verb)

   to use a grapple; to contend in close fight; to attach one's self as if by a grapple, as in wrestling; to close; to seize one another

4. Grapple(verb)

   a seizing or seizure; close hug in contest; the wrestler's hold

5. Grapple(verb)

   an instrument, usually with hinged claws, for seizing and holding fast to an object; a grab

6. Grapple(verb)

   a grappling iron

Origin: [See Grapple, v. t., and cf. Crapple.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Grapple

   Grapple is a fictional character from the Transformers series. He was a regular character in the original The Transformers animated series, voiced by Pete Renaday. Due to trademark issues, newer toys of this character are named Autobot Grapple or spelled Grappel by Hasbro.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Grapple

   grap′l, v.t. to seize: to lay fast hold of.—v.i. to contend in close fight.—ns. Grapp′lement (Spens.), a grappling, close fight; Grapp′ling-ī′ron, a large grapnel for seizing hostile ships in naval engagements. [O. Fr. grappil—grappe, a hook.]

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of grapple in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of grapple in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Sample Sentences & Example Usage

1. Andrew Coburn:

   They've been writing relatively low limits, it's an issue that the insurance industry needs to grapple with.

2. Anne-Sophie Swetchine:

   Providence has hidden a charm in difficult undertakings which is appreciated only by those who dare to grapple with them.

3. Stuart Plesser:

   They've got two opposing dynamics, and they have to grapple with that and figure out who could trade this debt, particularly at times of stress.

4. Gibbs Knotts:

   There have been calls recently saying we have gone too far in hailing the Confederate history. we have to grapple with the past and what it means going forward.

5. Hillary Clinton:

   He has suggested that we invite Iranian troops into Syria, that is like asking the arsonist to be the firefighter. ...The challenges a President has to grapple with are beyond complicated but at home and abroad. That is why is it is the hardest job.

Images & Illustrations of grapple