grope

/groʊp/

/grəʊp/

Other forms: groping; groped; gropes

When you grope for something, you try to get a grip on it. If you drop your flashlight in a dark cave, you might grope around for it. Beware of snakes!

If you're asked a question and you grope for an answer, you're at a loss for words. And if you can't find your cellphone, you might grope around in your backpack, hoping it just got buried beneath your homework. You can also grope another person, although I wouldn't recommend it: grope is usually used to describe touching that is unwanted.

Definitions of grope

1. verb

   feel about uncertainly or blindly
   “She groped for her glasses in the darkness of the bedroom”

   synonyms: fumble

   type of:

   look for, search, seek

   try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
2. verb

   search blindly or uncertainly
   “His mind groped to make the connection”

   type of:

   assay, attempt, essay, seek, try

   make an effort or attempt
3. verb

   fondle for sexual pleasure
   type of:

   caress, fondle

   touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner
4. noun

   the act of groping; and instance of groping
   type of:

   touch, touching

   the act of putting two things together with no space between them