grope

verb \ ˈgrōp \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

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

—

groper

noun

See grope defined for English-language learners

See grope defined for kids

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

For his story, Farrow spoke on the record with actresses Mira Sorvino and Asia Argento, and also shared chilling audio in which Weinstein admits to groping actress Ambra Battilana.

— lisa ryan, The Cut, "The Reporters Who Uncovered Harvey Weinstein Sexual Abuse Just Won the Pulitzer Prize," 16 Apr. 2018
Still, panic began to set in as my body begged for oxygen and my hand groped about in vain.

— eric adams, WIRED, "Inside the Safety Issues Surrounding the NY Helicopter Crash," 8 Apr. 2018
The Inquirer and Daily News’ investigation detailed the experiences of nine women who alleged abuse by Hopkins that ranged from inappropriate comments to groping to rape.

— patricia madej, Philly.com, "Who are the Cadets? What to know about the drum corps dealing with sexual misconduct allegations," 6 Apr. 2018
The novel begins with an incident that will resonate with anyone familiar with the #MeToo movement — Greer Kadetsky, a shy college freshman, is groped at a frat party by a serial abuser.

— mary carole mccauley, baltimoresun.com, "Ahead of Baltimore talk, author Meg Wolitzer discusses writing about women in the #MeToo era," 6 Apr. 2018
According to the report, the men reported unprovoked beatings, including of a man who was handcuffed, and one man reported being groped by a guard.

— jason buch, San Antonio Express-News, "Report: Detainees at Texas detention center beaten, pepper-sprayed," 22 Mar. 2018
Kendrick Shorts, 44, is accused of following and groping at least two women in the Tulane University area.

— marie simoneaux, NOLA.com, "Man gropes Tulane student on Freret Street, police say," 11 Mar. 2018
Oscar statues were replaced with golden groping hands.

— kayla kumari upadhyaya, Billboard, "'SNL' Spoofs the Oscars, Hollywood Sexual Harassment with 'The Grabbies' Awards," 4 Mar. 2018
The women alleged that they were subjected to lewd comments and groping by male employees, including several supervisors, at the Faneuil Hall location in Boston.

— fatima hussein, Indianapolis Star, "How low wages for tipped workers may invite sexual harassment," 23 Feb. 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

grope Synonyms

Synonyms

feel, fish, fumble, scrabble;

Related Words

grabble;

cast about, hunt, look, reach, seek (out);

capture, clutch, corral, get, grab, nab, nail, seize, snatch;

comb, dig (through), dredge, rake, ransack, rifle, rummage, scour;

grope

noun

Definition of grope

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

First Known Use of grope

circa 1513

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

GROPE Defined for Kids

grope

verb \ ˈgrōp \

Definition 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

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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grope

Definition of grope

groper

Examples of grope in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of grope

grope Synonyms

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grope

Definition of grope

First Known Use of grope

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GROPE Defined for Kids

grope

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