reach for
phrasal verb
reached for; reaching for; reaches for
1
: to move one's hand in order to get or touch (someone or something)
She reached for the salt and pepper.
He reached into his pocket for a dime.
2
: to try hard to achieve or succeed at (something)
Success won't come to you, you have to reach for it.
Examples of reach for in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Surveillance camera showed that Murt approached Burton, stopped directly in front of him and reached for his pant pocket.
—
Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 5 Dec. 2025
Prosecutors said Fitzsimmons reached for her gun.
—Cheryl Fiandaca, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
Instead, reach for this option that comes with a lid.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025
Ownership could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reach for
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Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 5 Dec. 2025
Prosecutors said Fitzsimmons reached for her gun.
—Cheryl Fiandaca, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
Instead, reach for this option that comes with a lid.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025
Ownership could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reach for
Cite this Entry
“Reach for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reach%20for. Accessed 6 Dec. 2025.
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