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
The abuse included groping and fondling of the students’ genitals and other acts under the guise of a medical examination.
—
CNN Money, 4 June 2026
The abuse included groping and fondling of the students' genitals and other acts under the guise of a medical examination.
—Jasper Ward, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Tajul Islam, 55, is accused of groping and molesting the victims inside Masjid Bilal Queens on Sutphin Blvd.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
Jennifer Jackson, 39, was charged with felony counts of groping a 15-year-old girl and vandalism.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
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
Everyone—libidinous kids and adults alike—is alienated and groping for distraction, until tragedy strikes.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 21 Dec. 2025
CNN Money, 4 June 2026
The abuse included groping and fondling of the students' genitals and other acts under the guise of a medical examination.
—Jasper Ward, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Tajul Islam, 55, is accused of groping and molesting the victims inside Masjid Bilal Queens on Sutphin Blvd.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
Jennifer Jackson, 39, was charged with felony counts of groping a 15-year-old girl and vandalism.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
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
Everyone—libidinous kids and adults alike—is alienated and groping for distraction, until tragedy strikes.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 21 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for groping
Verb
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Trump said, fumbling for words.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 June 2026
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But then again, neither is the Bears fumbling and bumbling.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Mike and Samantha Tiburtini didn’t start looking until about a month after their son Ellis was born in May 2022.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
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Timothy Hawkins said the command was aware of reports and looking into the situation.—
Gianluca Mezzofiore,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Groping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/groping. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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