go for

verb

went for; gone for; going for; goes for
Synonyms of go fornext

transitive

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
I could go for [=would like] a cup of coffee.
4
: attack, assail
My dog went for the intruder.
5
: to hold true : be valid
The rules go for you, too.

Examples of go 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.
Westview junior Derek Ho is going for repeat titles in the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke. Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026 Today’s college students going for a bachelor’s degree expect to earn roughly $80,000 one year after graduation — about $24,000 more than the average starting salary of $56,153, according to a survey by Clever Real Estate. Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026 Seatbacks will go for $199, and seatbacks autographed by Steelers' legends will be $299. Patrick Damp, CBS News, 8 May 2026 The same goes for Louis, who entered the draft with a lot of buzz about his positional versatility thanks to his coverage abilities yet wasn’t selected until Day 3. Miami Herald, 8 May 2026 The Dallas Cowboys’ offseason is entering a dead stretch, as the veterans have ended the voluntary workout phase, the rookies have come and gone for minicamp, and nothing is on the slate for the team until voluntary OTAs on June 1. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026 Beyond the socks offered on Cohen’s eBay account, other sought after items include a pair of GameStop signs and what appears to be a life-sized Halo 2 statue, both of which are going for more than $10,000. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 May 2026 Inside the clubhouse at Ferry Point, the bar menu lists a $15 espresso martini, while the skirt steak with chimichurri sauce and the pan-seared salmon over tricolor quinoa go for $36 apiece. Rick Maese, Washington Post, 7 May 2026 While going for a paltry 24 points to go with elite defense. Tony Jones, New York Times, 7 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of go for was circa 1586

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Cite this Entry

“Go for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/go%20for. Accessed 9 May. 2026.

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