as in fumbled
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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Recent Examples of groped
Cannon starred in a production of Sweet Bird of Youth at the Old Vic in 2013 and claims Spacey groped him at a party after the play’s press night.
—
Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
Spacey was artistic director at the Old Vic when Cannon claims the Oscar-winner groped him at a party.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
During one of the shootings, Sheriff Shittu, a 30-year-old aspiring fashion designer, was fatally shot in the head after a tussle with a drunk patron who had groped his girlfriend earlier in the night.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026
McMillan, 26, of Long Island, then stole about $200 from the woman’s purse and groped her while Colon, 24, of Queens, kept watch.
—ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
The woman was apparently unconscious as Gilpin tried to kiss her and groped her inside of her clothing, the complaint said.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
Taylor claims Lee groped and kissed her and then forced his hand into her pants, penetrating her with his fingers.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 20 Jan. 2026
After the charges were filed, a man came forward to report that Busfield had allegedly groped the man’s 16-year-old daughter during auditions for a play in Sacramento several years ago.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 14 Jan. 2026
During the ride, one of the men groped Rosalinda, who was fourteen.
—Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 30 Dec. 2025
Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
Spacey was artistic director at the Old Vic when Cannon claims the Oscar-winner groped him at a party.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
During one of the shootings, Sheriff Shittu, a 30-year-old aspiring fashion designer, was fatally shot in the head after a tussle with a drunk patron who had groped his girlfriend earlier in the night.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026
McMillan, 26, of Long Island, then stole about $200 from the woman’s purse and groped her while Colon, 24, of Queens, kept watch.
—ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
The woman was apparently unconscious as Gilpin tried to kiss her and groped her inside of her clothing, the complaint said.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
Taylor claims Lee groped and kissed her and then forced his hand into her pants, penetrating her with his fingers.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 20 Jan. 2026
After the charges were filed, a man came forward to report that Busfield had allegedly groped the man’s 16-year-old daughter during auditions for a play in Sacramento several years ago.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 14 Jan. 2026
During the ride, one of the men groped Rosalinda, who was fourteen.
—Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for groped
Verb
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The lawyer suggested the doctors at the Meadows fumbled Spacey’s treatment because their program was geared toward addiction.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
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The Warriors had a chance to send the game to overtime on the final possession of regulation, but Post, who hit four 3s on the night, fumbled the catch and turned the ball over, leaving the Knicks with the ball as the shot clock expired.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Washington recorded a respectable 20 reps on the bench press and also looked extremely quick during the 40-yard dash.—
Darin Oswald,
Idaho Statesman,
25 Mar. 2026
-
From masks to serums, balms, tints and exfoliators, lips have never felt or looked so good.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Another miss for Miller Miller made his ninth Sweet 16 appearance in 21 seasons, the most of any coach who hasn’t reached the Final Four.—
Janie McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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The Crimson Tide and Longhorns each reached the Sweet 16.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Groped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/groped. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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