Groped

To feel or search blindly or uncertainly with the hands; to fumble. This often implies a lack of light, knowledge, or clear direction, leading to awkward, clumsy, or hesitant movements. It can also suggest a physical touch that might be unwanted or inappropriate. The act of groping signifies a search driven by uncertainty, lack of vision, or perhaps an attempt to acquire information by touch. It can be employed figuratively as well as literally, referring to a tentative exploration of ideas, concepts, or emotions, lacking clarity or defined boundaries. The intensity and implications of groping vary widely, from the harmless to the dangerous, contingent on context and intent.

Groped meaning with examples

• Lost in the pitch-black cave, the explorer groped along the damp stone walls, his hands outstretched, desperately seeking the passage back to the daylight. He felt the rough textures, the uneven surfaces, hoping to discern some familiar landmark amidst the oppressive darkness. Every rustle and echo amplified his fear.
• After the power outage plunged the house into darkness, she groped her way towards the drawer, hoping to find the flashlight. Her fingers fumbled over the objects within, searching for the familiar shape of the device in the unsettling silence. She wished she had known where to find the candles before the lights went out.
• He groped for the right words to express his feelings to her, uncertain of how she would react. His speech felt clumsy and ill-formed, each attempt at communication laced with insecurity. He desperately sought the perfect sentiment, but his hesitation only added to the awkwardness of the moment.
• The detective, examining the crime scene, groped for clues amongst the scattered evidence, his touch gentle but methodical. He examined each object, tracing its edges and contours, trying to decipher the scene's story. The darkness, like the questions in his mind, made the task an arduous one, yet he carried on determinedly.