as in fumbles
to search for something blindly or uncertainly
she groped in her purse for her car keys groping for the right answer
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Recent Examples of gropes
In the video, a woman exposes herself and an officer, identified by investigators as Herman, gropes her, police said in a statement last year.
—
Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 15 Aug. 2025
Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gropes
Verb
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The Seahawks are a high-turnover team on both sides of the ball, but the 49ers have forced just two takeaways in the season series — both fumbles in the opener.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
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The Honda backs up a few feet as the agent fumbles at the door handle.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Analysts said the risk/reward in the bank stock looks better after the recent sell-off, with shares down over 7% year to date.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
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At first glance, the message looks polished and uses official branding that signals credibility.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The most iconic highway in the country reaches its centennial this year – and travelers are ready to celebrate with an epic road trip.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
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In one picture, a slim teen-ager reaches over tentatively, tenderly, to peel a bandage off another boy’s bare thigh, a moment both touching and wonderfully matter-of-fact.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gropes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gropes. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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