as in fumbling
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 groping
After literally years of groping around in the dark, Brazil do, at least, have the makings of a plan under Ancelotti.
—
Jack Lang, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Busfield is accused of groping a 16-year-old girl who was auditioning for a role at the B Street Theatre in Sacramento, according to a prosecution filing.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 14 Jan. 2026
The current warrant affidavit, which references the Little Big League incident, also cited other prior accusations, including a 2012 groping allegation in Los Angeles.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
The prosecution’s theory was that Moseby started by flirting with students, then began groping them while disguising the action as legitimate help with cheer moves.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
Everyone—libidinous kids and adults alike—is alienated and groping for distraction, until tragedy strikes.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 21 Dec. 2025
Among his convictions, Rahab was convicted of groping the butts of at least three different women and a 15-year-old girl in 2023.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Nov. 2025
One aide filed a police report accusing him of groping her breast, though a district attorney declined to prosecute.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
But the Jets have been mostly inept for a decade and a half, and the franchise has been groping for some sort of good fortune.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Jack Lang, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Busfield is accused of groping a 16-year-old girl who was auditioning for a role at the B Street Theatre in Sacramento, according to a prosecution filing.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 14 Jan. 2026
The current warrant affidavit, which references the Little Big League incident, also cited other prior accusations, including a 2012 groping allegation in Los Angeles.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
The prosecution’s theory was that Moseby started by flirting with students, then began groping them while disguising the action as legitimate help with cheer moves.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
Everyone—libidinous kids and adults alike—is alienated and groping for distraction, until tragedy strikes.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 21 Dec. 2025
Among his convictions, Rahab was convicted of groping the butts of at least three different women and a 15-year-old girl in 2023.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Nov. 2025
One aide filed a police report accusing him of groping her breast, though a district attorney declined to prosecute.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
But the Jets have been mostly inept for a decade and a half, and the franchise has been groping for some sort of good fortune.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for groping
Verb
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Yet, as any visitor stalled in traffic or fumbling for cash to top up a transit card discovers, the old Seoul persists beneath the new.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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What to know about the Patriots-Texans game Despite three turnovers and Drake Maye fumbling four times, the Patriots held on to beat the Houston Texans, 28-16.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The only black eye on the report was a loss in Reality Labs, but given management’s recent efforts to reduce spending in the division, investors are looking past it.—
,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
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The simple-looking 'speedometer' is actually a touchscreen that can show GPS and a variety of displays for speed, RPM, fuel, music, and more.—
William Roberson,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Groping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/groping. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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