by feel
idiom
1
: by feeling with one's hands when one cannot see
It was too dark too see anything, so she had to find the door knob by feel.
2
: by being guided by physical feelings, the senses, etc., instead of by rules or directions
an athlete who plays by feel
Examples of by feel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Trying to get those highest light puck brackets screwed in by feel was not optimal.
—
Anthony Karcz, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Octopuses typically hunt by feel, stealthily sticking their tentacles into crevasses to feel, taste, and flush out prey such as crustaceans, snails, and small fish.
—Byhannah Richter, science.org, 23 Sep. 2024
María de Lourdes Ortiz Zacarías swiftly cuts hundreds of strips of newsprint and colored crepe paper needed to make a piñata, soothed by Norteño music on the radio while measuring pieces by feel.
—Fabiola Sánchez, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Dec. 2023
Rangers boss Bruce Bochy and Dusty Baker of the Astros offer experience, calm and have mastered managing the game by feel.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for by feel 
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.
Anthony Karcz, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Octopuses typically hunt by feel, stealthily sticking their tentacles into crevasses to feel, taste, and flush out prey such as crustaceans, snails, and small fish.
—Byhannah Richter, science.org, 23 Sep. 2024
María de Lourdes Ortiz Zacarías swiftly cuts hundreds of strips of newsprint and colored crepe paper needed to make a piñata, soothed by Norteño music on the radio while measuring pieces by feel.
—Fabiola Sánchez, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Dec. 2023
Rangers boss Bruce Bochy and Dusty Baker of the Astros offer experience, calm and have mastered managing the game by feel.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2023
See all Example Sentences for by feel
Dictionary Entries Near by feel
Cite this Entry
“By feel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20feel. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share