feel for
phrasal verb
felt for; feeling for; feels for
1
: to search for (something) by reaching or touching usually with the fingers
The doctor felt for any possible fractures in the patient's bruised ribs.
He felt for the light switch.
2
: to have sympathy or pity for (someone)
I feel (deeply) for you, but there's nothing I can do to help.
Examples of feel for in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Unfortunately, writer-director John Patton Ford has little feel for the American class system, no discernible talent for writing good dialogue, and minimal competency with directing actors.
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Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
Most damningly, Schoen’s hang ups on winning negotiations, prioritizing positional value and being right — while underestimating or having no feel for the locker room and its leadership, culture and dynamic — have had lingering effects on the team’s psyche and belief.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026
Which is why the Padres and others have spent this spring training to get a feel for when to challenge.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
By weaving together songs, sounds, words, and visuals, Psalms gives audiences a real feel for the broader culture.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
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Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
Most damningly, Schoen’s hang ups on winning negotiations, prioritizing positional value and being right — while underestimating or having no feel for the locker room and its leadership, culture and dynamic — have had lingering effects on the team’s psyche and belief.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026
Which is why the Padres and others have spent this spring training to get a feel for when to challenge.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
By weaving together songs, sounds, words, and visuals, Psalms gives audiences a real feel for the broader culture.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for feel for
Cite this Entry
“Feel for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feel%20for. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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