feel for

1. Grope, reach for with one's hands, as in It was pitch dark, and I felt for the doorknob . [Early 1700s]

2. feel for someone . Sympathize with or feel sorry for someone, as in Tom was so upset that I felt for him . This usage was put as feel with by Shakespeare: “It resounds as if it felt with Scotland” ( Macbeth , 4:3). Both senses of feel for are present in the somewhat sarcastic I feel for you but I can't quite reach you , meaning “Too bad, but I don't really feel sorry for you.”

Example Sentences

He needs to keep picking up pace and getting a feel for the game.

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But he’s so pathetic that you can’t help but feel for the guy.

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This time together, Stubb later recalled, allowed the two men to get a feel for one another.

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From his teenage years, he’s shown a preternatural feel for the game, a singular ability to dictate action and flow.

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A trust officer or someone in a fiduciary role would have a better feel for managing a client’s assets.

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Related Words

• approach 
• attain 
• contact 
• end 
• go 
• join 
• lead 
• make 
• pass 
• stand 
• strike