See grasp in Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus II
verb
To take firmly with the hand and maintain a hold on:
clasp, clench, clutch1, grab, grapple, grip, seize. See keepTo perceive directly with the intellect:
apprehend, compass, comprehend, fathom, know, understand. (Scots) ken. See knowledgeTo perceive and recognize the meaning of:
accept, apprehend, catch (on), compass, comprehend, conceive, fathom, follow, get, make out, read, see, sense, take, take in, understand. (Informal) savvy. (Slang) dig. (Chiefly British) twig. (Scots) ken. Idioms: get (or have) a handle on, get the picture. See understand
noun
An act or means of holding something:
clasp, clench, clutch1, grip, hold. (Sports) grapple. See keepFirm control:
grip, hold. See controlA strong or powerful influence:
grip, hold. See affectThe ability or power to seize or attain:
capacity, compass, range, reach, scope. See abilityIntellectual hold:
apprehension, comprehension, grip, hold, understanding. (Informal) savvy. See knowledge
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