grope
Feel without seeing
To grope is to feel about blindly or uncertainly, reaching with hands when you can't see clearly: She groped for the light switch in the dark.
Figuratively, to grope for words or answers is to search uncertainly: He groped for the right thing to say.
Grope also means to touch someone sexually without consent, especially by fondling through clothing: He was arrested for groping women on the subway.
The noun refers to such an act: a quick grope in the elevator.
Perceive by touch
- fumbleHandle with clumsy fingers
- clutchMechanism linking engine to gearbox
- graspSeize or understand
- grabSeize abruptly
paw · reach · finger · probe · scrabble · claw · handle · palm
Touch lovingly
- molestAssault or bother harmfully
- assaultViolent offensive act
- harassPersistently torment someone
- inappropriateNot suitable or fitting
unwanted · violation · predatory · misconduct · abuse · nonconsensual · paw · lewd
Try to find
- huntPursuit of quarry
- fishGilled aquatic vertebrate
- searchAct of seeking
- rummageSearch unsystematically through clutter
scramble · cast about · reach for · feel around · root around · dig · sift · locate
Lacking the sense of sight
- sightlessUnable to perceive visually
- stumbleLose footing momentarily
- navigateGuide through terrain
- murkyDark and unclear
shadowy · blackout · disoriented · unseeing · lightless · pitch-black · dim · obscured
Slow to act
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
- falteringBecoming unsteady or weak
- haltingMarked by hesitation
- unsureLacking confidence or certainty
stumbling · uncertain · struggling · floundering · lost · confused · aimless · directionless
feel
Perceive by touch
grab · paw · reach · finger · probe · scrabble · claw · handle · palm · contact
fondle
Touch lovingly
inappropriate · unwanted · violation · predatory · misconduct · abuse · nonconsensual · paw · lewd · indecent
seek
Try to find
rummage · scramble · cast about · reach for · feel around · root around · dig · sift · locate · find
blind
Lacking the sense of sight
murky · shadowy · blackout · disoriented · unseeing · lightless · pitch-black · dim · obscured · nighttime
hesitant
Slow to act
unsure · stumbling · uncertain · struggling · floundering · lost · confused · aimless · directionless · grasping
gropecomprehend
To fully understand
understand · grasp · know · see clearly · discern