reaching
Extending an arm
Reaching is extending toward something, whether physically or figuratively.
You might be reaching for a glass on a high shelf or reaching for a goal that seems just out of grasp.
In informal usage, calling something a reach or saying someone is reaching suggests they're stretching too far—making a tenuous argument or forced connection: That interpretation is really reaching.
Exerting intense effort
- graspingGreedy for wealth
- strugglingExperiencing serious difficulty
- exertionVigorous physical effort
- stretchingExtending muscles or material
striving · push · pull · grapple · heave · strain · toil · labor
Communication or physical touch
- touchPerceiving through physical contact
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- bridgingConnecting separated things
- linkingForming a connection
connecting · engaging · networking · liaison · correspondence · dialogue · access · rapport
Reaching a goal
- accomplishingSuccessfully finishing an undertaking
- arrivingReaching a destination
- attainingReaching a goal
- obtainingGetting possession of
gaining · securing · acquiring · hitting · making · clinching · landing · grasping
stretch
Pull to extend
elongate · lengthen · span · spread · fingertips · sprawl · unfurl · crane · lean · thrust
straining
Exerting intense effort
- graspingGreedy for wealth
- strugglingExperiencing serious difficulty
- exertionVigorous physical effort
stretching · striving · push · pull · grapple · heave · strain · toil · labor · clutch
contact
Communication or physical touch
- touchPerceiving through physical contact
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
- bridgingConnecting separated things
linking · connecting · engaging · networking · liaison · correspondence · dialogue · access · rapport · bonding
achieving
Reaching a goal
- accomplishingSuccessfully finishing an undertaking
- arrivingReaching a destination
- attainingReaching a goal
obtaining · gaining · securing · acquiring · hitting · making · clinching · landing · grasping · capturing
ambition
Desire for achievement
- goalDesired end result
- dreamSleeping mind's narrative
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
vision · pursuit · striving · yearning · longing · hoping · aiming · targeting · seeking · chasing
extent
Range or magnitude
coverage · sphere · domain · influence · impact · penetration · pervasiveness · spread · expanse · bounds
- gerundswalking, running, talking, eating, sleeping
- acquiringobtaining, getting, grabbing, seizing, taking
- Body Movementwalking, running, jumping, bending, stretching
- exertioneffort, straining, strain, heaving, labor
- passenger behaviorboarding, exiting, sitting, standing, waiting
- stretchingextending, unfurling, lengthening, spreading, expanding
reachingwithdrawing
Removing or pulling away
retracting · pulling back · retreating · recoiling · shrinking back
reachingfailing
Flaw in one's nature
falling short · missing · failure · coming up short · loss
reachingdistancing
Creating space or separation
disconnecting · avoiding · isolating · ignoring · rebuffing
- reaching outInitiating communication
- reaching up
- reaching across the aisleCooperating with political opponents
- reaching pastStretching beyond a point
- reaching across