by feel

phrase

1
: by feeling with one's hands when one cannot see
It was too dark too see anything, so she had to find the door knob by feel.
2
: by being guided by physical feelings, the senses, etc., instead of by rules or directions
an athlete who plays by feel

Examples of by feel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Drivers can usually identify and use them with a glance or, in some cases, by feel alone. Chris Teague, AJC.com, 13 Mar. 2026 What once was an offense dictated by feel and smarts has turned into a rote exercise of clank. Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2025 Fine motor skills, involving all components by feel, remain extremely challenging for robot hands. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025 The interior is a triumph, neatly blending technology and tactility so that the driver can keep their eyes on the road while adjusting key controls, like interior temperature, by feel. Alistair Charlton, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for by feel

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Cite this Entry

“By feel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20feel. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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