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
nounIndulge Your Inner Word Nerd
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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Everyone is groping for a legal theory that will work in court.
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A senior supervisory lawyer groped the breasts and rears of two female attorneys at an office happy hour.
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The pop star accuses former KYGO radio host David Mueller of groping her at a backstage meet-and-greet.
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He was also accused of groping a female inmate in 2005 but a grand jury declined to indict him.
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How To: Want to get groped in a group but don’t know how?
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That effort is still very much a work in progress; just last month, for example, a female flier was groped by a TSA screener —
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
First Known Use: before 12th century
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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