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
Relevance
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 groped
My body, however, had become an object of desire—I was catcalled, harassed, or groped on the way home from the movies or school.
—
Leila Mottley, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2026
Police are looking for a man who has groped at least two women recently at the Silver Lake Reservoir.
—Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Since Busfield's arrest, at least four women have told police that the Emmy Award-winning actor and director groped their breasts and genitals and forced himself on them, dating from 1993 to 2000.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2026
Louise got out of bed, groped her way across the dark room, found her phone tethered to the charger, then scrolled back through her photos to find the grainy twenty-seven-second video of the ants.
—Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
According to the police report, the mother was cornered and groped at her car with her children in the back seat before the man ran away.
—Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Andrew had reported that Owen groped him, encouraged him to undress and kissed him during sessions.
—Jessica Schreifels, ProPublica, 27 Mar. 2026
Two more women said staff members groped them or touched them inappropriately.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
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
Leila Mottley, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2026
Police are looking for a man who has groped at least two women recently at the Silver Lake Reservoir.
—Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Since Busfield's arrest, at least four women have told police that the Emmy Award-winning actor and director groped their breasts and genitals and forced himself on them, dating from 1993 to 2000.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2026
Louise got out of bed, groped her way across the dark room, found her phone tethered to the charger, then scrolled back through her photos to find the grainy twenty-seven-second video of the ants.
—Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
According to the police report, the mother was cornered and groped at her car with her children in the back seat before the man ran away.
—Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Andrew had reported that Owen groped him, encouraged him to undress and kissed him during sessions.
—Jessica Schreifels, ProPublica, 27 Mar. 2026
Two more women said staff members groped them or touched them inappropriately.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for groped
Verb
-
Trailing to Jule Brand's 19th-minute goal for record eight-time champion Lyon, Arsenal was gifted an equalizer in the 59th when Mariona Caldentey's low free kick into the area was fumbled backward by goalkeeper Christiane Endler and onto the post.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Critics say the Epstein files show how Republican and Democratic administrations alike fumbled the Epstein investigation over two decades, leaving potential coconspirators uncharged.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For one night, the Mets looked like the team they’re supposed to be.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Magic superstar Tracy McGrady was playing at an MVP level, and Orlando looked faster, freer and flat-out better.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That comes as the number of people who have died in immigration custody has reached an all-time high for the fiscal year.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
7 May 2026
-
Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Mike Pekara said that after metal handcuffs were removed so a CT scan could be conducted, Talley reached under a blanket and fatally shot Officer John Bartholomew in the face.—
Michael Tobin,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Groped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/groped. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
