grasp

American  

[grasp, grahsp] / græsp, grɑsp /

verb (used with object)

1. to seize and hold by or as if by clasping with the fingers or arms.

   Synonyms:

   grab, clutch, clutch, grip

   Antonyms:

   release

2. to seize upon; hold firmly.

3. to get hold of mentally; comprehend; understand.

   I don't grasp your meaning.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make an attempt to seize, or a motion of seizing, something (usually followed by at orfor ).

   a drowning man grasping at straws; to grasp for an enemy's rifle.

noun

1. the act of grasping or gripping, as with the hands or arms.

   to make a grasp at something.

2. a hold or grip.

   to have a firm grasp of a rope.

3. one's arms or hands, in embracing or gripping.

   He took her in his grasp.

4. one's power of seizing and holding; reach.

   to have a thing within one's grasp.

5. hold, possession, or mastery.

   to wrest power from the grasp of a usurper.

   Synonyms:

   clutches

6. mental hold or capacity; power to understand.

   Synonyms:

   comprehension, apprehension, understanding

7. broad or thorough comprehension.

   a good grasp of computer programming.

grasp British  

/ ɡrɑːsp /

verb

1. to grip (something) firmly with or as if with the hands

2. to struggle, snatch, or grope (for)

3. (tr) to understand, esp with effort

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noun

1. the act of grasping

2. a grip or clasp, as of a hand

3. the capacity to accomplish (esp in the phrase within one's grasp )

4. total rule or possession

5. understanding; comprehension

grasp Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing grasp

• get a fix on (grasp of)

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Related Words

See catch. Grasp, reach refer to the power of seizing, either concretely or figuratively. Grasp suggests actually seizing and closing the hand upon something (or, figuratively, thoroughly comprehending something) and therefore refers to what is within one's possession or immediate possibility of possession: a good grasp of a problem; immense mental grasp. Reach suggests a stretching out of (usually) the hand to touch, strike, or, if possible, seize something; it therefore refers to a potentiality of possession that requires an effort. Figuratively, it implies perhaps a faint conception of something still too far beyond one to be definitely and clearly understood.

Other Word Forms

• graspable adjective
• grasper noun
• graspless adjective
• regrasp verb (used with object)
• ungraspable adjective
• ungrasped adjective

Etymology

Origin of grasp

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English graspen, grapsen; cognate with Low German grapsen; akin to Old English gegræppian “to seize” ( grapple )

Example Sentences

All the more unlucky: both Asia and Grace are urgently trying to protect their sisters from falling into the cult’s grasp.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

I thought that was a moment where people were gonna grasp how connected we are — no stages, no hierarchy, we’re all enduring this thing.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

"Before astronomers found planets outside our solar system, we thought we had a pretty good grasp on how planets formed," Libby-Roberts said.

From Science Daily • Mar. 18, 2026

"When I think about the future, I'm encouraged more young people are joining and how they grasp the issue," she says.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

I guessed I would have to open it, so I reached out to grasp the handle.

From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce

Related Words

• accept
• appreciate
• comprehend
• fathom
• perceive
• pick up
• realize