groping

[ groh-ping ]

/ ˈgroʊ pɪŋ /

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See synonyms for groping on Thesaurus.com

adjective

moving or going about clumsily or hesitantly; stumbling.

showing or reflecting a desire to understand, especially something that proves puzzling: a groping scrutiny; a groping expression.

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”

Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.

Question 1 of 7

Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?

their

there

they're

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of groping

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at grope, -ing²

OTHER WORDS FROM groping

grop·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby groping

groove of nail matrix, grooving saw, groovy, grope, groper, groping, Gropius, Gropius, Walter, Gropper, Gros, grosbeak

Example sentences from the Web for groping

I vividly recall, that day and the weeks afterward, people groping for a decent way forward.
The Media's Pro-Torture Cheerleaders|Jedediah Purdy|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“He was groping for some way to phrase the emotions that usually were kept securely locked up,” said Eleanor.
The Stacks: The Day Lou Gehrig Delivered Baseball’s Gettysburg Address|Ray Robinson|July 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Miranda Barbour is said to have initially told police that she acted alone and stabbed the man only after he began groping her.
A Satanic Killer of 100 People? More Like One, Cops Think|Michael Daly|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The U.S. Open of Surfing dissolved into vandalism, looting, and groping.
U.S. Open of Surfing Turns Into Riot|Mark Lukach|July 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Instead, Republicans are groping for answers as the slow march toward the fiscal cliff leaves them ever more divided.
Why the Fiscal Cliff Is Causing a Nervous Breakdown on the Right|Howard Kurtz|December 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Groping to the chimney-place with the aid of his matches, Mr. Collingwood found the candle and lit it.
The Boarded-Up House|Augusta Huiell Seaman
Donny found himself, dazed and alone, upon the cross-ties, groping toward the oncoming train.
A Lost Hero|Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward and Herbert D. Ward
Groping his way with half-closed eyes back to the bed, he falls again into a heavy, dreamless slumber.
Uncanny Tales|Various
They went into the haunted house then, groping their way in the darkness, for they had left their own lantern in the dory.
The Rival Campers|Ruel Perley Smith
She knew the spot well, and groping for the wall, she stood breathless and spray-beaten beside the gulf.
Marriage la mode|Mrs. Humphry Ward

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WORD OF THE DAY

groping

adjective

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”

Origin of groping

OTHER WORDS FROM groping

Words nearby groping

Example sentences from the Web for groping

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

groping

adjective

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”

Origin of groping

OTHER WORDS FROM groping

Words nearby groping

Words related to groping

Example sentences from the Web for groping