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

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Riley also is filled with a new sympathy for anyone grasping for a semblance of normalcy when their world is upside down. —

Mackenzie Happe and Zoë Todd, CNN, 26 Oct. 2024 Rookie Bo Nix threw touchdowns on consecutive drives, grasping for any ounce of momentum as the Chargers went three-and-out on back-to-back possessions. —

Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2024 Yet politicians, especially local city elected officials grasping for the golden ring of higher office, absolutely love policies that bash landlords, seem to favor tenants, and cost no money and come with zero evaluation; do these measures even work? —

Roger Valdez, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024 In the face of the ineffable, A’s fans have been grasping for metaphor. —

Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for grasp for