1
as in handing
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another
would you reach me the potatoes, please?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in contacting
to transmit information or requests to
you can reach me by phone after 3:00 p.m. most days
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in influencing
to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response
the movie adaptation just didn't reach me the way the novel did
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reaching
Although an invasion was unlikely, an aged Washington threw himself into preventing the French Revolution from reaching American shores.
—
Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
On current plans, Europe’s defense annual spending is set to almost double by 2030, reaching nearly $750 billion.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 3 May 2026
Named for the twisted trees that reminded early Mormon settlers of arms reaching up in prayer, Joshua Tree includes parts of both the Mojave and Colorado deserts.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
Renewal pruning is another beneficial technique—cutting back overgrown stems to remove barriers preventing light from reaching inner branches.
—Emily Leahy, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
Two days later against the Tigers, Farmer got the start at DH and went 1-for-3 while also reaching on a fielder’s choice.
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 3 May 2026
Instead of reaching some decisive crisis point, the conflict devolved into a deadlock – a war of attrition where neither side could achieve much more than small gains of territory in one place while suffering small losses of land in another.
—David Szondy
may 02, New Atlas, 2 May 2026
Sunday, May 3 Manchester United vs Liverpool The Premier League season is reaching its conclusion, and away from the title race between Arsenal and Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool will contest the pick of the weekend’s games.
—The Athletic Live Team, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
With sunshine returning, temperatures will respond accordingly, reaching the mid to upper 50s for highs.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
On current plans, Europe’s defense annual spending is set to almost double by 2030, reaching nearly $750 billion.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 3 May 2026
Named for the twisted trees that reminded early Mormon settlers of arms reaching up in prayer, Joshua Tree includes parts of both the Mojave and Colorado deserts.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
Renewal pruning is another beneficial technique—cutting back overgrown stems to remove barriers preventing light from reaching inner branches.
—Emily Leahy, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
Two days later against the Tigers, Farmer got the start at DH and went 1-for-3 while also reaching on a fielder’s choice.
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 3 May 2026
Instead of reaching some decisive crisis point, the conflict devolved into a deadlock – a war of attrition where neither side could achieve much more than small gains of territory in one place while suffering small losses of land in another.
—David Szondy
may 02, New Atlas, 2 May 2026
Sunday, May 3 Manchester United vs Liverpool The Premier League season is reaching its conclusion, and away from the title race between Arsenal and Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool will contest the pick of the weekend’s games.
—The Athletic Live Team, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
With sunshine returning, temperatures will respond accordingly, reaching the mid to upper 50s for highs.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reaching
Verb
-
In an interview with Beauty Inc published last September, the reality star spoke about eventually handing the reins to her daughter Stormi Webster, now 8, one day.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Viewers flooded the clip with reactions, and many were especially moved by the woman’s decision to cool the french fry down before handing it over to the dog.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Walton then allegedly fled at a high rate of speed without contacting authorities.—
Stepheny Price , Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
2 May 2026
-
As the need for cell phone data use becomes more common — particularly in terms of contacting emergency services — this service gap becomes even more amplified, Humes wrote.—
Elliot Mann,
Twin Cities,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This leadership follows a congressional report showing foreign adversaries are actively influencing American academia — shining a spotlight on Indiana and Purdue University, in particular, as both a model for reform and a case study in risk.—
Joe Gebbia Sr,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Recent research suggests the average B2B deal cycle is roughly 6 months, with 5–10 people often influencing the decision.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But after the catastrophe that precedes it, the moment feels like passing around a collection plate at a funeral.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Massie objected to passing the extension by unanimous consent, forcing the legislation to a floor vote instead.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Plane tickets are getting pricier After jumping to $209 a barrel in early April, the global price of jet fuel eased last week to around $179, still well above the roughly $99 at the end of February.—
Mae Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Since getting sober, Holland's life has been a whirlwind.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
And what was first impacted particularly in Southeast Asia is now equally affecting the United States.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
-
The board oversees the Sacramento County Office of Education, which provides services and oversight to the 13 public school districts, including the Los Rios Community College District, affecting 255,000 students.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
The top three issues impacting Californians are the rising cost of living, the climate and environmental justice crisis, and the erosion of our democracy.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
Critics argue that hybrid working is negatively impacting productivity, an individual's work ethic and the wider economy as a whole.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The 38-year-old was hired as the club’s new under-21s coach from Southampton’s academy last summer and then promoted to Rosenior’s backroom staff after impressing in a two-game spell at the helm following Enzo Maresca’s departure in January.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
After beginning the season out of the rotation, Jakucionis went on to crack the Heat’s rotation in December by impressing coaches with his energy, playmaking skills and ability to hold up on defense.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reaching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reaching. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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