1
as in to seek
to make a request for
don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to woo
to act so as to make (something) more likely
you are asking for trouble if you invite her ex to the wedding
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to request
to give a request or demand for
the surgeon asked for the scalpel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ask (for)
Verb
-
The project is particularly acrimonious, drawing out geographical battles between north and south and thorny fights between officials who want to build the tunnel and environmentalists and Delta residents seeking to protect the local ecosystem and their way of life.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026 -
Max Allegri sought refuge in the dug-out at the Mapei Stadium.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Outward expansion is already ramping up as major brands push to build out charging infrastructure and woo customers and partners abroad.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
-
Starmer hand-delivered the invitation from the king in the Oval Office five weeks after the Republican president returned to office, in a very public attempt to woo the president.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The vote requests that the department’s all-civilian watchdog adopt new guidelines similar to San Francisco, which bars police officers from pulling people over for broken taillights and other minor equipment violations unless there is a safety threat.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
Deputies determined Mattson was on felony probation and requested that Sacramento County Probation place a hold on him, but the department declined, according to the Sheriff’s Office.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Bosses, colleagues, friends and patients are invited annually to nominate nurses who exemplify the best in their profession.—
Nancy Badertscher,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
-
See’s lovers are invited to meet the CEO, nibble on candy and share their See’s memories and stories of their favorite pieces.—
Linda Zavoral,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Early in the morning on May 6, police in riot gear encircled the encampment and ordered everyone to clear out, arresting 64 individuals who stayed.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
Henry White was sentenced to 37 months in prison in December and was ordered to pay the same restitution amount as his sister, officials said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Ask (for).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ask%20%28for%29. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
