grope

verb \ ˈgrōp \

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

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grope

noun

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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

Swift's security team soon accused the DJ of groping the star, and he was subsequently fired from his job.

— randy blaser, chicagotribune.com, "Column: Why I'm going public as a Taylor Swift fan," 24 Aug. 2017
Two days before the world heard about him groping women.

— dave quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Hillary Clinton on That Time 'Creep' Donald Trump Followed Behind Her at the 2016 Debate: 'My Skin Crawled'," 23 Aug. 2017
The jury sided with Swift in a countersuit against a radio host who had allegedly groped the singer during a meet-and-greet event four years ago.

— raisa bruner, Time, "Are You Ready for Taylor Swift's Long-Anticipated New Music Release? Here's Everything We Know So Far," 22 Aug. 2017
Still pending: The $10-million case alleging groping at a Farmington Hills restaurant.

— jc reindl, Detroit Free Press, "Prosecutor: No criminal charges against Mike Morse in restaurant groping case," 21 Aug. 2017
According to Domitrz, groping is more likely to happen in bars and nightclubs.

— korin miller, SELF, "In the Wake of Taylor Swift's Trial, Sexual Assault Hotline Sees a Surge in Calls," 21 Aug. 2017
The trial ended Monday when the jury sided with Swift in her countersuit against former Denver D.J. David Mueller for allegedly groping her at a meet-in-greet in 2013.

— hilary weaver, Vanities, "Why the Courtroom Sketches of Taylor Swift Were So Off the Mark," 15 Aug. 2017
Her post garnered hundreds of comments, many from other women who had also been groped or assaulted in other ways.

— sarah klein, Health.com, "3 Women Who Stood Up to a Groper in a Powerful Way," 15 Aug. 2017
Then, within days of the debate, multiple women came forward to accuse Trump of having groped or kissed them without their consent.

— joshua green, Daily Intelligencer, "Steve Bannon Is Out of Trump’s Doghouse and Leading the Charge Against Mueller," 9 July 2017

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

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 Defined for English Language Learners

grope

verb

Definition of grope for English Language Learners

: to search for something by reaching or touching usually with your fingers in an awkward way
: to move forward carefully by putting your hands in front of you so that you can feel anything that blocks you
: to touch (someone) in an unwanted and unexpected sexual way