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 Word Forms

• groping·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of groping¹

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

Example Sentences

None of this madness has caused his staff or the right-wing media to hesitate for a moment to keep spinning, claiming faith that Trump's moronic groping is a secret genius plan to make everyone super-rich.

From Salon

Dublin City Council is running a pilot scheme for a week in May after complaints of people groping the sculpture's breasts.

From BBC

The American people will be left groping in the dark.

From Salon

Such people are groping for answers and meaning.

From Salon

"They were both groping me. I shouted for help and realised no-one could hear me."

From BBC