fish for

verb

fished for; fishing for; fishes for
Synonyms of fish fornext
: to ask for or try to get (something, such as praise or attention) in an indirect way
I think he offers apologies for his cooking as a way of fishing for compliments.
fishing for answers

Examples of fish for in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The few Samish tribal members who fish for a living do so in Alaska. — John Ryan, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026 Postcard responses showed that 68% had never intentionally fished for common carp, while 32% had. — Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026 An 8-year-old boy went fishing for bass and catfish in Pennsylvania over the weekend and instead hauled in something that belongs roughly 4,000 miles farther south. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The plan was for the Speedwell to remain in North America and fish for cod to salt and dry and take back to help repay the investors who bankrolled the journey. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fish for

Rhymes for fish for

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Browse Nearby Words

fish fly
fish for
fish for compliments
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Cite this Entry

“Fish for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fish%20for. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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