grapples

Engages in close combat

Grapples covers both physical and mental wrestling.

To grapple is to seize and struggle with someone in close combat, or to wrestle with a difficult problem: She grappled with the decision for weeks.

A grapple or grappling hook is a device with claws for grabbing and holding—thrown to catch a ledge or drag something closer.

mental

wrestles

Fights using holds

strugglesDifficult prolonged efforts
contendsStrives in opposition
tacklesEngages or brings down

confronts · deals · engages · copes · battles · addresses · works through · comes to terms · faces · deliberates

wrestling

clinch

Settle beyond doubt

gripSecure manual hold
holdMaintain in grasp
takedownForced grounding maneuver

struggle · pin · submission · mat · opponent · lock · combat · tussle · clasp · wrestling

nautical

hooks

Curved catching devices

anchorsWeighted devices securing vessels
boardingEntering a vehicle
ropeThick twisted fibers

line · deck · vessel · rigging · mooring · drag · retrieve · seize · maritime · salvage

Categories

deals withhandles, manages, addresses, tackles, copes
takes onadopts, assumes, accepts, undertakes, shoulders

Opposites

physical engagement

grapplesreleases

Lets go or publishes

lets go · frees · relinquishes · drops · pushes away

confrontation vs. avoidance

grapplesflees

Departs to escape danger

retreats · runs away · evades · avoids · escapes

mental engagement with problems

grapplesignores

Refuses to acknowledge

avoids · evades · dismisses · neglects · sidesteps

Phrases

grappling hooksHooked tools for ascending
grappling ironsHooked anchoring devices
grappling techniqueMethod for controlling opponents physically

Family

grapple, grappling, grappled, grappler, grapplers, grapplings, grappling hook

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G