REACHING Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

reaching

verb

present participle of reach

as in handing

to shift possession of (something) from one person to another would you reach me the potatoes, please?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in contacting

to transmit information or requests to you can reach me by phone after 3:00 p.m. most days

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in influencing

to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response the movie adaptation just didn't reach me the way the novel did

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of reaching Tariffs have kept much of that cost advantage from reaching American showrooms. — Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026 Recognition remained close to that level for combinations, reaching approximately 71 percent. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026 Doeren built a consistent winner, with the Wolfpack securing 11 bowl bids with eight of those teams reaching eight or nine wins — including a 9-4 mark against rival North Carolina. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 Displaced Filmmakers Need More Than a Platform War and displacement continue to shape filmmaking across the Arab world, affecting not only the stories reaching screens but the filmmakers trying to build careers. — Essie Assibu, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026 That created an atmosphere of optimism for Democrats, who elected Barack Obama president in 2008 and gave him majorities in the House and Senate (the latter briefly reaching 60 seats). — Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026 With Campbell’s new approach, the Horned Frogs will be able to develop talent in-house for longer, which could be the key to the program reaching the Final Four in the future. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026 Tesla’s latest event showcased its second-gen Roadster, a vehicle teased for almost a decade, with new capabilities such as flying short distances, driving upside down, and reaching 60 miles per hour in a second. — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026 Temperatures will gradually moderate next week, reaching the mid-60s on Monday and around 70 degrees on Tuesday, with generally dry conditions continuing. — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reaching

Verb

Abner Uribe and Aaron Ashby combined for five strikeouts in three scoreless innings of relief before handing the ball to Megill.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2026
Milwaukee’s hottest hitter William Contreras led off the inning with his second hit of the game - a single into left field - which led Tampa Bay to make another pitching change, this time handing the ball to Garrett Cleavinger.

— Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of handing

Verb

The order prohibited Kerr from contacting Loveland and generally required him to remain at least 300 yards away, with a limited exception for events involving their adult children.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Several advisory council members did not respond to requests for comment, and after The Times began contacting them, the web page was removed.

— Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of contacting

Verb

As voters decide which party can best rescue their chance at the American Dream, political experts say prolonged economic hardship is the defining feature influencing voters in the midterms.

— Amy L. Wong, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Technical knowledge can be taught and examined but the skills Freebairn values most, such as influencing, persuading, and negotiating, cannot.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of influencing

Verb

Walker enters this game with 106 carries and 21 passing targets (14 receptions) in just five games.

— Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
These showers won’t make their way to Sacramento, but a few passing clouds over the region are expected late morning and early afternoon as the decaying pulse of earlier rain passes.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of passing

Verb

Now, Tan-Gillespie is tasked with getting KFC’s American business back on track as the brand faces growing competition paired with more health-conscious and cash-strapped consumers.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Before Rover, success meant getting promotions, landing bigger clients and climbing the corporate ladder.

— Sally Simmons, Contributor, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of getting

Verb

Sanders, who spoke alongside el Sayed in Grand Rapids, said Trump’s attacks on the Democratic candidate were rooted in Islamophobia because Republicans have little to say about the issues affecting working families.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 26 Oct. 2026
Executives with the authority to make decisions affecting cybersecurity must carry appropriate accountability for those decisions.

— JC Gaillard, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of affecting

Verb

After stepping into a bigger role with most of the Heat’s rotation regulars out and impressing in Saturday night’s preseason loss to the Timberwolves, Conwell again made some positive plays on Wednesday.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
The interior walls are patterned with motifs ranging from grapevines to geometric forms made by impressing food containers into the concrete.

— Tim Hornyak, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of impressing

Browse Nearby Words

reaches

reaching

reach-me-down

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Reaching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reaching. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of reaching

verb

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