reach for
phrasal verb
reached for; reaching for; reaches for
1
: to move one's hand in order to get or touch (someone or something)
She reached for the salt and pepper.
He reached into his pocket for a dime.
2
: to try hard to achieve or succeed at (something)
Success won't come to you, you have to reach for it.
Examples of reach for in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The two appeared to exchange words while walking toward security, with Richardson still nudging him and appearing to reach for his face.
—
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The family could not be immediately reached for comment.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 30 Jan. 2026
These are reasons enough to reach for whole foods instead.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 29 Jan. 2026
Those dips can nudge us to reach for another sweet or carb-laden snack as a quick fix.
—Emma Yasinski, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reach for
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Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The family could not be immediately reached for comment.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 30 Jan. 2026
These are reasons enough to reach for whole foods instead.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 29 Jan. 2026
Those dips can nudge us to reach for another sweet or carb-laden snack as a quick fix.
—Emma Yasinski, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reach for
Cite this Entry
“Reach for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reach%20for. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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