1
as in suitcases
a bag carried by hand and designed to hold a traveler's clothing and personal articles
she placed her grip in the train's overhead rack and seated herself comfortably
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in grasps
the act or manner of holding
get a better grip on the lid and try to open the jar again
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in understandings
the knowledge gained from the process of coming to know or understand something
he has a good grip on basic Spanish grammar and spelling
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4
as in controls
the right or means to command or control others
a tyrant that keeps the masses tightly in his grip
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5
as in handles
a part by which an implement is held
bought new pots with heat-resistant grips
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1
as in clutches
to have or keep in one's hands
gripped the handlebars tightly and raced down the hill
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2
as in fascinates
to hold the attention of as if by a spell
that true crime story gripped me as much as any whodunit
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3
as in interests
to hold the attention of
that movie will grip any true sports car fan
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in holds
to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms
the baby gripped my fingers and wouldn't let go
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grips
Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
The changes to the federal vaccine schedule come as Rhode Island is in the grips of a severe flu season, which has led hospital systems to institute masking requirements at their medical facilities.
—Jonny Williams, The Providence Journal, 7 Jan. 2026
The slim wand grips even tiny lashes, coating them with nourishing ingredients like castor and sunflower seed oils, while adding length that doesn’t look over-the-top.
—Shalwah Evans, Glamour, 31 Dec. 2025
Geeta Gandbhir’s film grips from its opening frame as police officers respond to a dispatcher’s report of a shooting in a neighborhood of Ocala, FL.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2025
Elko had a tough time coming to grips with how Miami was able to impose its will up front, handing the Aggies their first home loss and their second dating to back last year's loss to the rival Texas Longhorns.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 21 Dec. 2025
The saddle is well-cushioned, the bars offer a neutral upright posture, and the rubber grips are comfortable.
—New Atlas, 18 Dec. 2025
More local school districts in Ohio and Kentucky have announced closures and delays Monday as bitter cold grips the region.
—Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Dec. 2025
Needless to say, Prince William's visit to Brazil offers him an opportunity to attempt a reset for the British monarchy, which for weeks now has been in the grips of a crisis about Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, and his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
By equipping a commercial prosthetic with pressure and proximity sensors and training an AI neural network on natural grasping movements, the team created a hand that grips more intuitively and securely.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Dec. 2025
The level of specificity instantly grips me.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025
His older son and partner trail him while his toddler, who barely reaches his father’s hip, grips his hand and stares up at the journalists and security guards surrounding the family.
—Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025
Global equities tumbled Tuesday as concerns of inflated valuations and an uncertain macro environment grips investors ahead of Nvidia earnings this week.
—Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 18 Nov. 2025
This usually immediately grips their attention.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
This is the intriguing backdrop for a narrative that never really grips us, even if Chong has an artful way of depicting Hong Im’s lifestyle, which oscillates between real-world issues and religious wizardry.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … ON THE RUN – Fear grips major US city as accused teen killer escapes in jail error.
—FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
But in the second season of the series, which wrapped last Sunday, a new sense of uncertainty, reflection, and maturity grips the central characters, making for even better television.
—Verb
The bottom of the mat has a textured backing that grips the floor, keeping it in place and preventing slips and falls.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for grips
Noun
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So Jordan makes a point of serving snacks with flight attendants, loading suitcases with baggage handlers, and sitting in breakrooms talking to ramp agents.—
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Kenny also leads Traveler's annual Luggage Week, where editors test and review the very best suitcases, weekenders, and backpacks of the year.—
Noun
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His team first examined 30 natural hand grasps, from holding a small bead to lifting a large bottle.—
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The Hurricanes needed that to happen after the game nearly slipped out of their grasps.—
Noun
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And as states started to abandon Common Core, school controversies began to focus less on standards and achievement than on competing understandings of America itself.—
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This ambitious agenda puts the spotlight on the country’s sports diplomacy, in which athletic endeavors serve as an arena for gaining influence, cultivating international leadership, interacting with foreign audiences, and facilitating conversations that can lead to better understandings.—
Noun
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These features are further enhanced by technology that adapts to individual preferences, such as smart shower controls and lighting systems tailored to each user.—
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These product missteps have been further compounded by broader operational issues in the areas of marketing, supply chain and corporate cost controls.—
Noun
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There are no visible door handles, a design choice that may not align with current Chinese regulations.—
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Use a disinfecting cleaner on all the doorknobs in every room, as well as handles for toilets and the kitchen faucet.—
Verb
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Mispelys Salazar clutches a stack of papers close to her chest as bristling wind gusts threaten to send them flying into the air.—
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On the plane, Dick clutches the slingshot and begins sweating and muttering to himself before becoming unresponsive.—
Verb
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Then there’s the story of life, which also really fascinates me.—
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Kafka’s work still fascinates readers — like Polish filmmaking legend Holland.—
Verb
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The one who interests me most is midfielder Ruben Neves.—
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That always interests me in terms of fun facts or conversation starters for Karen Wheeler.—
Cite this Entry
“Grips.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grips. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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