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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of groped
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
During one of the shootings, Sheriff Shittu, a 30-year-old aspiring fashion designer, was fatally shot in the head following a tussle with a drunk patron who had groped his girlfriend earlier in the night.
—Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 21 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
Derek Dixon, who appeared in The Oval and Ruthless, sued Perry in June, alleging that the mogul pinned him against a wall and groped him.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 26 Dec. 2025
Look no further than Mexico’s first woman president, who was recently groped on the street during a public appearance.
—Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025
The victim told police that Hamilton began performing the massage and then groped her, slid his hands down her body and assaulted her, according to a Davidson County arrest affidavit.
—Kelly Puente, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Dec. 2025
Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2026
During one of the shootings, Sheriff Shittu, a 30-year-old aspiring fashion designer, was fatally shot in the head following a tussle with a drunk patron who had groped his girlfriend earlier in the night.
—Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 21 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
Derek Dixon, who appeared in The Oval and Ruthless, sued Perry in June, alleging that the mogul pinned him against a wall and groped him.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 26 Dec. 2025
Look no further than Mexico’s first woman president, who was recently groped on the street during a public appearance.
—Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025
The victim told police that Hamilton began performing the massage and then groped her, slid his hands down her body and assaulted her, according to a Davidson County arrest affidavit.
—Kelly Puente, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for groped
Verb
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And the counseling office fumbled it.—
Sharyn Alfonsi,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
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Cornell fumbled with Mercader’s clothing, trying to find them.—
Josh Ireland,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And geography proved important when Leroy and Jarzyna looked for reasons why so many bird species are shrinking ever faster.—
Seth Borenstein,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
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Even if the petition fails, claims in it are being looked into by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, which could lead to criminal charges.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Asian markets stabilized on Friday after days of volatility while US gas prices have reached their highest level since September 2024.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Anderson says the men have reached an impasse and is asking a judge to dissolve their business connections.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Groped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/groped. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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