English Reference
Noun

grappling

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US /ˈɡɹæpəɫɪŋ/ UK /ɡɹˈæplɪŋ/ grap·pling

n.the act of struggling with a difficult problem or a physical opponent. You use it when someone is trying hard to understand or control something tricky.

n.the act of engaging in a close struggle or struggle for mastery, whether physical or metaphorical. Often describes the intellectual process of trying to resolve a complex issue.


SIMPLE

The team is grappling with a serious budget problem.

CONTEXTUAL

After hours of grappling with the new software, she finally managed to export the data correctly.

COMPLEX

The philosopher spent his entire career grappling with the paradox of free will, never arriving at a conclusion that satisfied his critics or himself.

Usage

Often paired with the preposition 'with' to indicate the object of the struggle.

In 2020, as the nation was grappling with a pandemic, the tale became a regular part of Trump’s campaign speeches .

The Guardian· 14 Aug 2026

Farmers across the UK are grappling with one of the driest, hottest growing seasons in decades.

BBC News· 11 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated