feel around
Fumble in darkness
Feel around is to search for something by touch rather than sight, typically when you can't see clearly: She felt around in her purse for the keys, He felt around in the dark for the light switch.
The phrase suggests groping or patting an area systematically until you find what you're looking for.
Search unsystematically through clutter
scour · forage · probe · locate · find · retrieve · reach · pocket
Feel about blindly
- fumbleHandle with clumsy fingers
- touchPerceiving through physical contact
- pawAnimal's clawed foot
- fingertipsTerminal phalanx pads
texture · stroke · pat · rub · caress · handle · brush · skim
Thorough examination or tool
- navigateGuide through terrain
- investigateSeek facts systematically
- examineStudy with attention
- surveySystematic data collection
scout · inspect · map · traverse · discover · terrain · unfamiliar · reconnoiter
rummage
Search unsystematically through clutter
seek · scour · forage · probe · locate · find · retrieve · reach · pocket · purse
grope
Feel about blindly
fingertips · texture · stroke · pat · rub · caress · handle · brush · skim · finger
probe
Thorough examination or tool
- navigateGuide through terrain
- investigateSeek facts systematically
- examineStudy with attention
survey · scout · inspect · map · traverse · discover · terrain · unfamiliar · reconnoiter · scope
tentative
Uncertain and provisional
gingerly · careful · wary · probing · guarded · delicate · slow · gentle · measured · faltering