fish for

verb

fished for; fishing for; fishes for
Synonyms of fish fornext
: to ask for or try to get (something, such as praise or attention) in an indirect way
I think he offers apologies for his cooking as a way of fishing for compliments.
fishing for answers

Examples of fish for in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sophie Cherney, 4, of Highland Park, was fishing for the first time and catching a fish. Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026 The former Minnesota Vikings receiver with the second-most touchdown receptions in NFL history has found his off-the-field calling on the boat, fishing for freshwater bass. CBS News, 5 June 2026 If fishing for your bait seems like way too much work, consider the following two methods, both of which can produce a mess of minnows. Chad Mason, Outdoor Life, 3 June 2026 The group ate that fish for dinner the night after the dives — like a sacrament. ABC News, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for fish for

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fish for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fish%20for. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on fish for

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