Grasping: meaning, definitions and examples

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grasping

 

[ ˈɡræspɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

in a physical or metaphorical sense

1. To take a firm hold of something; grip. 2. To understand the nature or significance of. 3. To seize an opportunity eagerly. 4. To comprehend or appreciate fully. 5. To be greedy or selfish in a grasping way.

Synonyms

appreciate, comprehend, greedy, grip, seize

Examples of usage

  • He was grasping the rope tightly as he climbed.
  • She had difficulty grasping the concept of quantum physics.
  • He was always grasping for power and control.
  • She grasped the beauty of the painting immediately.
  • His grasping attitude towards money alienated his friends.

Translations

Translations of the word "grasping" in other languages:

🇵🇹 agarrar

🇮🇳 पकड़ना

🇩🇪 greifen

🇮🇩 meraih

🇺🇦 схоплювання

🇵🇱 chwytać

🇯🇵 把握する (haaku suru)

🇫🇷 saisir

🇪🇸 agarrar

🇹🇷 kavrama

🇰🇷 파악 (paak)

🇸🇦 القبض (alqabd)

🇨🇿 uchopit

🇸🇰 uchopiť

🇨🇳 掌握 (zhǎngwò)

🇸🇮 prijem

🇮🇸 grípa

🇰🇿 ұстау

🇬🇪 დაჭერა

🇦🇿 tutmaq

🇲🇽 agarrar

Etymology

The word 'grasping' originates from the Old English word 'græpsan', which means 'to seize, to reach out'. Over time, the meaning evolved to include both physical and metaphorical senses of taking hold of something. The term has been used in English for centuries to describe the act of firmly holding onto something or understanding a concept. The negative connotation of being greedy or selfish in a grasping way emerged later in the history of the word.

See also: grasp, graspable, grasped, grasper.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,213, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.