go for
verb
went for; gone for; going for; goes for
1
: to pass for or serve as
Silvered glass once went for mirrors.
2
: to try to secure or attain (something, such as a goal)
go for the prize
Stop hesitating and just go for it.
3
a
: to accept or agree to
I asked for a loan, but they wouldn't go for it.
b
: to have an interest in or liking for
doesn't go for modern art
She went for him in a big way.—
Chandler Brossard
Chandler BrossardI could go for [=would like] a cup of coffee.
5
: to hold true : be valid
The rules go for you, too.
Examples of go for in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Although Rolder’s short arm length could give him some trouble with block-shedding, several workable pieces on his profile likely speak to what Buffalo would go for in its new defense at a reduced cost.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
The same goes for Oklahoma edge defender R MasonThomas coming off the board to Kansas City, as a relentless pass rusher with an explosive first step.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
The Cardinals instead chose to rebuild their foundation by going for a different need in the backfield.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
The Avs now lead the best-of-7 series 3-0, and will go for a sweep here Sunday afternoon in Game 4.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Seats just two rows ahead are reselling for a little over $16,000, with some even closer to the pitch going for over $24,000.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Bell went for nine catches, 136 yards and two touchdowns in the 24-21 win.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Talarico’s faith—and his regular meetings with Black faith leaders in the state—may help him with Black voters, who make up 13 percent of the electorate and who largely went for Crockett in the primary.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
The same goes for people who want to use this device to protect their child.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
The same goes for Oklahoma edge defender R MasonThomas coming off the board to Kansas City, as a relentless pass rusher with an explosive first step.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
The Cardinals instead chose to rebuild their foundation by going for a different need in the backfield.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
The Avs now lead the best-of-7 series 3-0, and will go for a sweep here Sunday afternoon in Game 4.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Seats just two rows ahead are reselling for a little over $16,000, with some even closer to the pitch going for over $24,000.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Bell went for nine catches, 136 yards and two touchdowns in the 24-21 win.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
Talarico’s faith—and his regular meetings with Black faith leaders in the state—may help him with Black voters, who make up 13 percent of the electorate and who largely went for Crockett in the primary.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
The same goes for people who want to use this device to protect their child.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Go for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/go%20for. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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