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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reaching
The system can reportedly target threats flying as low as 50 feet above the ground and at altitudes reaching approximately 17 miles.
—
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 7 June 2026
More importantly, the engines only need to be started shortly before reaching the active runway threshold.
—David Szondy
june 07, New Atlas, 7 June 2026
In April, Storm Duncan took a direct approach to reaching tech workers and posted his $8 million Marin County property on LinkedIn, offering an exchange for Anthropic stock.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 7 June 2026
When someone experiences heat stroke, their body's temperature rises rapidly, potentially reaching 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in as little as 10 or 15 minutes, and is unable to cool itself down, the CDC warns.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 7 June 2026
The Netherlands is the biggest tough-luck country in World Cup history, reaching the final three times (1974, ‘78 and 2010) and losing twice by one goal and once by two.
—Laurence Miedema, Mercury News, 7 June 2026
Infantino looked on, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.
—Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026
The Toronto Blue Jays are hovering around a losing record, just a few months after reaching Game 7 of the World Series.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
And the experience of reaching the grand Baroque castle southeast of Paris is just as memorable as the destination itself, thanks to the journey onboard the Joie de Vivre, built specifically for the Seine River.
—Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2026
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 7 June 2026
More importantly, the engines only need to be started shortly before reaching the active runway threshold.
—David Szondy
june 07, New Atlas, 7 June 2026
In April, Storm Duncan took a direct approach to reaching tech workers and posted his $8 million Marin County property on LinkedIn, offering an exchange for Anthropic stock.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 7 June 2026
When someone experiences heat stroke, their body's temperature rises rapidly, potentially reaching 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in as little as 10 or 15 minutes, and is unable to cool itself down, the CDC warns.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 7 June 2026
The Netherlands is the biggest tough-luck country in World Cup history, reaching the final three times (1974, ‘78 and 2010) and losing twice by one goal and once by two.
—Laurence Miedema, Mercury News, 7 June 2026
Infantino looked on, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.
—Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026
The Toronto Blue Jays are hovering around a losing record, just a few months after reaching Game 7 of the World Series.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
And the experience of reaching the grand Baroque castle southeast of Paris is just as memorable as the destination itself, thanks to the journey onboard the Joie de Vivre, built specifically for the Seine River.
—Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reaching
Verb
-
Nye stopped short of handing a full victory to Boise.—
Darin Oswald,
Idaho Statesman,
3 June 2026
-
First, tax cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act generated larger-than-usual refunds earlier this year, effectively handing consumers a cash cushion just as income was weakening.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
He was also ordered to stay away from the victim, prohibited from contacting her directly or indirectly in writing, through a telephone, or via social media.—
Peter D'Oench,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
Rozier’s conditions of release prohibited him from contacting any team members of the Heat and the Charlotte Hornets, including players, coaches and medical staff members.—
Chloe Atkins,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Evans said power limitations are already influencing economic development decisions.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
2 June 2026
-
This cooling shifts atmospheric circulation, influencing weather around the globe.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Congress could also intervene, Budington said, by passing legislation that allows a private right of action after data breaches, allowing victims to pursue cases directly instead of relying on state laws or waiting for state attorneys general to take up a case.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
4 June 2026
-
The long days of summer feel designed for leisurely train travel, journeys that unfold at an unhurried pace and encourage travelers to settle in and enjoy the passing scenery.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Both Landman and The Madison have been renewed for new seasons, with Landman heading into its third and The Madison getting a second, but the Landman stars could not divulge any details about what to anticipate in season 3.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
-
But getting the shoes, walking around in my spare time in New York in heels, which Carolyn does in the show and Sarah Pidgeon does not.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Ir remains to be seen, though, how many legislatures will follow, and whether the outburst of mid-decade redistricting will extend down to county commissions, city councils and school boards that make myriad decisions affecting people's lives.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
-
In 2023, the city began issuing citations to anyone found along the corridor with fire-starting equipment, trash that threatened local habitats or camping gear affecting the flow of water.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Earlier this year, the cofounder of payments firm Block announced that the company would lay off nearly half of its workforce, impacting about 4,000 staffers.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
-
There was no earthquake nor anything impacting the ground, the USGS said.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
As children mature, parents (and society at large) prepare them for adulthood by impressing upon them the fact that their actions have consequences, and their agency increases.—
Ted Chiang,
The Atlantic,
3 June 2026
-
When a female of the species shows up to check out a male’s fancy digs, the male tosses his shiniest objects in her direction and shows off his plumage in hopes of impressing her.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reaching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reaching. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
