grasp

Examples

• All

• The strong, friendly grasp he gave my hand was all that could be desired.

  Academic text (2010)

• Artus helped his friend out of the rope's grasp and pulled him to his feet.

  Fiction book (1992)

• Joseph scrambled out of his grasp and was up on his feet again.

  Fiction book (1990)

• With Manchukuo now firmly in their grasp, the Japanese soon controlled most of North China.

  The Last Emperor (1987)

• This war is not over, and until the North secured what he called the fruits of victory, it must continue to hold the South in the grasp of war.

• Many, I'd say even most survivors actually have a good handle, a good grasp of their competence, their skill sets, their strengths, what they can do.

• The child's little hand slipped out of her mother's grasp as she ran towards the playground.

• He tightened his grasp on the rope to prevent himself from falling into the water.

Synonyms

H

hold

vsgrasp

294 1.0

A firm grip on something

is the same action described by the main entry

A

ahold

vsgrasp

• Informal

141 8.2

A firm grip on something or a quick way to reach someone

describes tight holding in general rather than sudden acquisition

G

grip

vsgrasp

116 1.0

A firm hold on something so it does not slip

is a neutral description of tight holding without stressing strength

H

holding

vsgrasp

12 4.2

Keeping something that you have or control

focuses on gripping an object tightly rather than long term possession

S

squeezing

vsgrasp

4 2.0

Holding and pressing something firmly with your hand

focuses on tight holding without emphasizing pressing pressure

C

clutch

vsgrasp

3 3.9

An act of holding something tightly

is the basic tight hold without implying urgency or suddenness

C

clasp

vsgrasp

3 1.9

A tight hold with the hands or arms

is the same basic action but used as the main term

T

taking hold

vsgrasp

3 4.1

A firm grip with the hands or arms that keeps something from moving

is about the general act of tight holding, not just the moment

G

grasping

vsgrasp

1 2.7

To hold something firmly with the hand or another body part

focuses on simple tight holding rather than the ongoing action

S

seizing

vsgrasp

4.0

A tight hold on something using hands or arms

is the neutral tight hold without the sense of forcefulness

Antonyms

R

to release

∞ 1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

D

to drop

∞ 1.0

To let something fall suddenly or by accident

Idioms

G

to grasp the nettle

• Informal

1 8.2

Face a difficult problem directly and act firmly

G

to grasp a rope of sand

• Archaic

9.9

To try to do something that cannot be done

How Tight

clutch

3 3.9

grip

116 1.0

grasp

50 1.1

squeeze

12 1.5

Surface Forms

Etymology