Definition of grope
groped
;groping
intransitive verb
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
transitive verb
1 : feel up claims that her boss tried to grope her
2 : to find (one's way) by groping
grope
noungroper
nounExplore Merriam-Webster
Examples of grope in a Sentence
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 of grope from the Web
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Then, within days of the debate, multiple women came forward to accuse Trump of having groped or kissed them without their consent.
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Four women who worked at the spy agency alleged that Knight had groped or touched them inappropriately in brief encounters before and after his speech, according to investigative documents and interviews with more than a dozen NGA officials.
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Hall of Fame basketball coach Bob Knight is accused of groping four women during a speaking engagement at a U.S. spy agency, The Washington Post reports.
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Tech news website The Information posted a story on June 22 with allegations that venture capitalist Justin Caldbeck had made unwanted sexual advances — ranging from inappropriate sexual comments to groping — toward multiple women.
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The Ada County Sheriff’s Office said in May 2016 that the female client told officers Sundgaard groped her and made several sexually explicit remarks during the massage session on March 1, 2016.
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Another woman told police a man matching Jones' description groped her in the elevator of her apartment building in the 400 block of East Market Street.
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Metro Council Democrats have finished their internal investigation into whether Dan Johnson groped fellow member Jessica Green during a community event, but a dispute is brewing over when it should be released to the public.
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Prosecutors brought charges, however, after three nursing home employees reported seeing Spingler grope the woman during visits on Dec. 15, Dec. 17, and Dec. 23.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'grope.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of grope
Middle English, from Old English grāpian; akin to Old English grīpan to seize
GROPE Defined for English Language Learners
grope
playDefinition of grope for English Language Learners
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: to search for something by reaching or touching usually with your fingers in an awkward way
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: to move forward carefully by putting your hands in front of you so that you can feel anything that blocks you
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: to touch (someone) in an unwanted and unexpected sexual way
GROPE Defined for Kids
grope
playDefinition of grope for Students
groped
;groping
1 : to move along by feeling with the hands He groped along the dark hallway.
2 : to seek by or as if by feeling around She groped for the light switch. He was groping for an answer.
Learn More about grope
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See words that rhyme with grope Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for grope Spanish Central: Translation of grope Nglish: Translation of grope for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of grope for Arabic speakers
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