grope

[ grohp ]

verb (used without object)

groped, groping.

1. to feel about with the hands; feel one's way:

   I had to grope around in the darkness before I found the light switch.

   Synonyms: fish, probe, fumble

2. to search blindly or uncertainly:

   He seemed to be groping for an answer to the question.

verb (used with object)

groped, groping.

1. to seek by or as if by groping:

   to grope one's way up the dark stairs.

2. Slang. to touch or fondle (someone) for sexual pleasure, especially without the person’s consent.

noun

1. an act or instance of groping.
2. Slang. an act or instance of sexually fondling another person.

grope

/ ɡrəʊp /

verb

1. intrusually foll byfor to feel or search about uncertainly (for something) with the hands
2. intr; usually foll by for or after to search uncertainly or with difficulty (for a solution, answer, etc)
3. tr to find or make (one's way) by groping
4. slang.
   tr to feel or fondle the body of (someone) for sexual gratification

noun

1. the act of groping

Derived Forms

• ˈgropingly, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of grope¹

Before 900; Middle English gropien, Old English grāpian, derivative of grāp “grasp”; akin to gripe, grasp

Word History and Origins

Origin of grope¹

Old English grāpian; related to Old High German greifōn, Norwegian greipa; compare gripe

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 average American voter gropes and searches their way through political questions, seeks direction from sources they trust, and is guided by emotion and intuition.

From Salon

Prosecutors say he made explicit sexual remarks to, and then aggressively "groped", two members of the production team.

From BBC

In July 2023, we published our initial investigation, which reported claims by workers, some as young as 17, of being groped and harassed almost routinely.

From BBC

Related Words

• cast about
• flounder