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
Harold Roper spent his life reaching for the sky — first in the Air Force, then working on NASA's Apollo 13 mission.
—
Brian New, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
Flora could not be immediately reached for comment, but its new Kalamazoo establishment, The Old Skool Bar, already has a Facebook page promising an arrival in winter 2026.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Some editors swear by an oversized scarf or wrap, favoring its versatility as a blanket (or, in one editor’s case, a makeshift pillow), and as a polished finishing touch—while others reach for a perfectly slouchy sweater that delivers warmth without sacrificing style.
—Alexandra Ditch, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2025
The worker, who could not be reached for comment, testified against Moore as part of an agreement with prosecutors to dismiss her charges after the trial, according to prosecutors’ trial brief.
—Jessica Schreifels, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reach for
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Brian New, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
Flora could not be immediately reached for comment, but its new Kalamazoo establishment, The Old Skool Bar, already has a Facebook page promising an arrival in winter 2026.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 19 Dec. 2025
Some editors swear by an oversized scarf or wrap, favoring its versatility as a blanket (or, in one editor’s case, a makeshift pillow), and as a polished finishing touch—while others reach for a perfectly slouchy sweater that delivers warmth without sacrificing style.
—Alexandra Ditch, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2025
The worker, who could not be reached for comment, testified against Moore as part of an agreement with prosecutors to dismiss her charges after the trial, according to prosecutors’ trial brief.
—Jessica Schreifels, CNN Money, 18 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 20 Dec. 2025.
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