Thesaurus results for GROPE

grope

verb

ˈgrōp

Definition of 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

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 grope Franken fake-groped a sleeping woman as a joke, and was then credibly accused of groping numerous women for real. — Katha Pollitt, Washington Post, 10 July 2026 But there’s a savvy 2026 vibe about the way the film refuses to create florid melodrama out of quotidian crisis, and instead observes with generosity as the characters grope awkwardly toward emotional détente and mutual forgiveness. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026 The juvenile was allegedly approached by a man who tried starting a conversation and groped them. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2026 Men gathered at village auctions to grope and prod Black people; the shapes of their muscles and strength of their teeth determined their value, babies included. — Literary Hub, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for grope

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grope

Verb

On his second drive, Tagovailoa fumbled the snap from center and the Dolphins recovered.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Centennial fumbled on its first possession to set up Petero’s two-yard touchdown run.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of fumble

Verb

The most impressive trick Paranormal Activity pulls off is making an entire theater — devotees and newcomers alike — afraid to look away, and giving them one hell of a good time while doing it.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Outdoor plans look great as most areas will stay dry, so keep the umbrellas at home.

— Bill Kelly, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of look

Verb

Chelsea have also reached a verbal agreement with Como to loan goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to the Serie A club for a season.

— The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
The river is in severe drought, and water levels at two major reservoirs on the river recently reached record lows.

— Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of reach

Browse Nearby Words

groovy

grope

groped

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Grope.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grope. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of grope

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes