grope

as in to fumble
to search for something blindly or uncertainly she groped in her purse for her car keys groping for the right answer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grope In 2020, an anonymous woman claimed Jones kissed and groped her without consent at an afterparty for a Cowboys game against the New York Giants in 2018. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025 Though the air is thick with anguish, three people start to grope their way through it toward each other. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025 In 2022, Errol allegedly groped their five-year-old son, according to family members. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025 In 2023, Errol’s 5-year-old son claimed his father groped his butt, per the report. Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grope
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grope
Verb
  • After taking an early 3-0 lead and forcing the Ravens to punt on their opening series, Tahj Washington fumbled after a catch and Baltimore’s Alohi Gilman scooped it up and returned it to Miami’s 7, setting up Jackson’s first touchdown pass to Mark Andrews.
    Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
  • In Week 2, McCarthy played poorly, throwing two interceptions and fumbling three times.
    Ben Morse, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Tianjin Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, and Rice University, the work could reshape how scientists think about pollution cleanup by looking closer at the tiniest details hidden in common minerals.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Elite politics has become so opaque under his rule that pundits look for any clue for China’s direction – from parsing Xi’s words for their real meaning to assessing the color of his hair.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The city has reached 85% of its total water treatment capacity now, Hall said.
    Penny Weaver, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2025
  • But any agreement reached will be just one touchstone in a thorny and volatile great power rivalry between the world’s superpower democracy and an authoritarian China, whose growing military assertiveness under Xi in the East and South China Seas is rattling US allies in the region.
    Betsy Klein, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grope.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grope. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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