groped; groping
1
: to feel about blindly or uncertainly in search
grope for the light switch
2
: to look for something blindly or uncertainly
grope for the right words
3
: to feel one's way
groped along the dark passage
groper
noun
plural gropes
: an act of groping
made a grope for the light switch
And what are these clumsy, embarrassing, fumbling encounters if they are not passes, beery gropes in the dark?—
Nick Hornby
Nick HornbySynonyms
Examples of grope in a Sentence
Verb
I groped for the light switch.
She groped around in her purse, looking for her comb.
We groped along the dark passage.
She claims that her boss tried to grope her.
Recent Examples on the Web
Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Even if there is groping or other assaults, taxes may apply.
—Robert W. Wood, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Carolyn Wells, Longreads, 31 Dec. 2024
On numerous occasions, under the guise of helping a stylist prepare Richard for performances, Combs would also barge into her changing room unannounced and grope parts of her body without her consent, the lawsuit also alleges.
—Janelle Griffith, NBC News, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grope 
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Verb
In the most recent suit, filed Dec. 27 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, former patients accuse Brock of groping their breasts and genitals unnecessarily under the pretense of legitimate medical examinations.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Even if there is groping or other assaults, taxes may apply.
—Robert W. Wood, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
Noun
Then everyone was supposed to take a bad joke or accept a quick grope.
—Carolyn Wells, Longreads, 31 Dec. 2024
On numerous occasions, under the guise of helping a stylist prepare Richard for performances, Combs would also barge into her changing room unannounced and grope parts of her body without her consent, the lawsuit also alleges.
—Janelle Griffith, NBC News, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grope
Dictionary Entries Near grope
Cite this Entry
“Grope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grope. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
grope
verb
groped; groping
1
: to seek by or as if by feeling around uncertainly
groped for the light switch
grope for the right word
2
: to feel one's way by groping
grope along a wall
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