grope

USAGE SUMMARY

'grope' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb which means to search for something, usually with your hands, in a clumsy or awkward way. You can also use it to describe someone touching another person in a sexual way without their consent. Example sentence: The man groped the woman's backside without her permission.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He'd point out a woman and suggest we grope her.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There may be many more times in the next five weeks when the viewers grope down the back of the sofa for the remote, for this – rather than the moment Gordon Brown goes to the Palace to see the Queen – was the moment the bell rang for the start of the fight.

The Guardian

Though "I go away weekends and leave my keys in the door", though "People talk, people stare", and though "I grope, and I blunder, and I'm weak, and I'm wrong", the message is loud and clear: "Stay with me".

The Economist

While others grope, the official communist interpretation rings out as clear as the first "blips".

The Economist

Activists upset by the airport security agency's new "scope or grope" (i.e., full body scanners or full-body pat-down) policies launched their less-than-successful "opt out day" protest.

The Economist

Most are "pathetic nuisances" who grope children but commit no other crimes.

The Economist

In public debate about sexual violence, the focus should be less on the victims' shaming and more on the attackers, asking why it is so acceptable to grope, harass and attack women.But nothing would do more to improve the lot of Indian women than giving them more clout.

The Economist

Not only could the traditional grope in a dark corner at the office "do" end up in dismissal and a criminal record these days, but the intra-office gift-giving rituals can also lead to trouble.In the current British hit movie, "Love Actually", the story (in so far as there is one) revolves around the build-up to Christmas.

The Economist

It has ended with advice to grope around (systematically, of course) in the corporate attic with the hope of stumbling across hidden goodies that have so far been unappreciated.

The Economist

The Muslim world, in short, may be starting to grope its way towards its own Reformation.At the same time, the painful experience of countries such as Iran, Algeria and Egypt has convinced many that excessive zeal is misguided.

The Economist

The narrative compulsion was coupled to the unsettling intuition that humans have no secure place along the continuum of creation; they slide toward insecthood even as they grope for an absent God.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grope" in the context of sexual harassment, ensure clarity and sensitivity to avoid misinterpretation or trivialization of the issue.

Common error

Be cautious of using "grope" loosely, as its meaning can range from innocently searching to sexually assaulting. Context is key to prevent miscommunication and potential offense.

Linguistic Context

The word "grope" primarily functions as a verb, denoting the action of feeling with the hands, often clumsily or uncertainly, or to touch someone sexually without their consent. As Ludwig AI reports, the word follows standard grammar rules. Examples from Ludwig illustrate both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "grope" functions primarily as a verb, carrying the meaning of either physically searching with uncertainty or engaging in unwanted sexual touching. Ludwig AI indicates that "grope" is grammatically correct and its high frequency across various news and media sources means that is a very common word. When using "grope", it's crucial to consider the context to prevent misinterpretations, especially given its potential to describe serious offenses like sexual harassment. Alternatives like "feel around" or "touch inappropriately" can offer nuanced alternatives. Ensure clarity to prevent confusion and potential offense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

touch inappropriately

Specifically refers to unwanted or unacceptable physical contact.

sexually harass

Directly addresses the sexual nature and offense of the unwanted contact.

make unwanted advances

Implies an explicit sexual intent behind the physical contact.

feel around

Focuses on the act of physically searching without necessarily implying difficulty or sexual intent.

feel one's way

Highlights the cautious and exploratory nature of the search, often in uncertain circumstances.

fumble

Emphasizes the awkwardness or clumsiness of the searching action.

paw

Implies a rough or indelicate type of physical contact or searching.

search blindly

Emphasizes the lack of clear direction or information in the search.

handle roughly

Highlights the force and lack of care in the physical handling.

struggle to find

Shifts the focus to the difficulty and effort in locating something, often metaphorical.

FAQs

How can I use the word "grope" in a sentence?

You can use "grope" to describe searching for something by feeling with your hands, like "I had to grope around in the dark for my keys". However, it's also used to describe unwanted sexual touching, such as "He was accused of groping a woman at the bar".

What are some alternative words for "grope" when describing a physical search?

If you want to avoid the negative connotations of "grope", you could use alternatives like "feel around", "fumble", or "search blindly" depending on the specific context.

What are some alternatives for "grope" when referring to sexual harassment?

In the context of sexual harassment, it's more appropriate to use phrases like "touch inappropriately", "sexually harass", or "make unwanted advances" to clearly convey the severity of the action.

Is there a difference between "grope" and "assault"?

"Grope" typically implies unwanted touching, often of a sexual nature, but it doesn't necessarily encompass the full range of physical harm that "assault" can include. "Assault" is a broader term that can involve any intentional act that causes another person to fear immediate violence or offensive contact. depending on the context.