grasp for
phrasal verb
grasped for; grasping for; grasps for
: to try in a desperate or awkward way to get (something)
His sudden decision to quit the race has left his supporters grasping for explanations.
grasping for attention
Examples of grasp for in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump’s supporters are grasping for justifications for a volatile stock market and looming price increases.
—
Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 9 May 2025
On far too many occasions, Watson chose deceit over candor, grasping for the illusion of business success and personal acclaim at any cost.
—Peter White, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2025
Murphy had Stick in his grasp for a sack on the final drive of the first half but couldn’t finish the play (Derick Hall wound up with the sack).
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 10 Aug. 2024
Elisabeth, grasping for a reminder of her worth now that she’s seen the way people fawn over Sue’s youth and beauty, makes a date with a former schoolmate.
—Time, 16 Apr. 2025
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Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 9 May 2025
On far too many occasions, Watson chose deceit over candor, grasping for the illusion of business success and personal acclaim at any cost.
—Peter White, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2025
Murphy had Stick in his grasp for a sack on the final drive of the first half but couldn’t finish the play (Derick Hall wound up with the sack).
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 10 Aug. 2024
Elisabeth, grasping for a reminder of her worth now that she’s seen the way people fawn over Sue’s youth and beauty, makes a date with a former schoolmate.
—Time, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grasp for
Cite this Entry
“Grasp for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grasp%20for. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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