grasp for
verb
grasped for; grasping for; grasps for
: to try in a desperate or awkward way to get (something)
His sudden decision to quit the race has left his supporters grasping for explanations.
grasping for attention
Examples of grasp for in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Soon, a cycle of blackmail, extortion and fraud ensues, borne of desperate grasping for power and a potentially fatal lack of empathy on all fronts.
—
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Instead of confidently pitching the idea, Lawrén froze — grasping for something, anything, to say.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
Our parent tester liked that the handles were sturdy and easy to grasp for her baby.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 7 Apr. 2026
Barring that, world leaders are grasping for ways to free up more oil.
—Cathy Bussewitz, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grasp for
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Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Instead of confidently pitching the idea, Lawrén froze — grasping for something, anything, to say.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
Our parent tester liked that the handles were sturdy and easy to grasp for her baby.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 7 Apr. 2026
Barring that, world leaders are grasping for ways to free up more oil.
—Cathy Bussewitz, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grasp for
Cite this Entry
“Grasp for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grasp%20for. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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