say for
idiom
—used with words such as something, little, a lot, etc., to show that someone or something does or does not deserve to be praised, admired, etc.
It says a lot for her that she stayed in the game even though she was injured.
The students' low test scores don't say much for the education they're receiving.
Examples of say for in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The study relies on observational data, meaning that researchers cannot say for sure that verbal abuse in childhood causes poorer mental health in adulthood, only that there is a connection between the two.
—
Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2025
Based on current research, nobody can say for sure that chia seeds have a substantial impact on your heart.
—Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 29 July 2025
No one can say for sure which camp is right and which one is wrong.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
However, some analysts say for the average borrower, the new rates will not make a significant impact.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Essentially, astronomers need more observations to say for sure what will ensue in the stars billions of years from now.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2025
What does this say for the power, viability and future of the CFO to CEO pipeline?
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
The Bo-Berry sausage biscuit and Bo-Berry cookies are available for a limited time, though the fast-food chain didn’t say for how long.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2025
The Wodehouse character couldn’t say for certain that Pabst was trying to include a message to his Third Reich viewers.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 6 May 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2025
Based on current research, nobody can say for sure that chia seeds have a substantial impact on your heart.
—Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 29 July 2025
No one can say for sure which camp is right and which one is wrong.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
However, some analysts say for the average borrower, the new rates will not make a significant impact.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Essentially, astronomers need more observations to say for sure what will ensue in the stars billions of years from now.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2025
What does this say for the power, viability and future of the CFO to CEO pipeline?
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
The Bo-Berry sausage biscuit and Bo-Berry cookies are available for a limited time, though the fast-food chain didn’t say for how long.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2025
The Wodehouse character couldn’t say for certain that Pabst was trying to include a message to his Third Reich viewers.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Say for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/say%20for. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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