feel for

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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Feel for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feel%20for. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster