# grappling

/ˈɡɹæpəɫɪŋ/ (US) · /ɡɹˈæplɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grappling
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The team is grappling with a serious budget problem.
- After hours of grappling with the new software, she finally managed to export the data correctly.
- 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 notes

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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.