groping

[ groh-ping ]

adjective

1. moving or going about clumsily or hesitantly; stumbling.
2. showing or reflecting a desire to understand, especially something that proves puzzling:

   a groping scrutiny; a groping expression.

Other Words From

• groping·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of groping¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; grope, -ing ²

Example Sentences

The singer sued Mr Combs in September, accusing him of threatening her life and "subjecting her to years of inhumane working conditions which included groping, assault, and false imprisonment".

From BBC

Lil Rod alleged in his lawsuit that he was “the victim of constant unsolicited and unauthorized groping and touching” by Combs and felt “uncomfortable with Mr. Combs’ advances.”

From Los Angeles Times

But after a while, meaning after the advent of Trump, their humorless, groping sincerity, which I indulged because of course they “meant well,” curdled into flat-out fascist goose-stepping.

From Salon

In some cases, our US partner CBS reports, he was seen straddling and groping his unconscious victims.

From BBC

In 2017, Channel 4’s Dispatches broadcast allegations of groping, assault and harassment, with one woman waiving her right to anonymity for the first time.

From BBC