groping
Americanadjective
-
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.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of groping
Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at grope, -ing 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She’s also spinning an intergenerational tale of Black women groping past their initial distrust to a deeper understanding of what they have in common.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026
“You’re groping in the dark a little bit more.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 2, 2026
“One leg, two legs — got it,” Dave Laithwaite, a volunteer at the sanctuary, said while groping around in the mud in the kiwi’s narrow den.
From New York Times ● May 17, 2024
“We are but darkened groping souls, that know not the light often because of its very blinding radiance,” wrote W.E.B.
From Salon ● Feb. 28, 2024
But he was only thinking of Sticky to take his mind off himself, for the prospect of groping about in the darkness intimidated him more than he cared to admit.
From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart
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