groped
Felt around uncertainly
Groped is the past tense of grope.
To grope is to feel about blindly or uncertainly with the hands: She groped for the light switch in the dark.
Figuratively, to grope for words or answers is to search haltingly.
Grope also means to touch someone sexually without consent, typically by grabbing or fondling: He groped her on the subway.
This sense dominates contemporary usage.
Violent offensive act
- harassmentAggressive, unwanted targeting
- molestationCriminal unwanted sexual contact
- unwantedNot wished for
- inappropriateNot suitable or fitting
nonconsensual · predatory · misconduct · abuse · boundary · trauma · victimization · indecent
Handled awkwardly, dropped
- graspedClutched or understood
- reachedArrived at successfully
- felt aroundSearched using touch
- clutchedHeld firmly in hand
pawed · scrambled · probed · fished · rummaged · patted · grabbed · touched
Slow to act
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
- uncertainNot firmly known
- confusedUnable to understand
- disorientedLacking sense of direction
bewildered · lost · unclear · vague · puzzled · searching · aimless · directionless
assault
Violent offensive act
- harassmentAggressive, unwanted targeting
- molestationCriminal unwanted sexual contact
- unwantedNot wished for
inappropriate · nonconsensual · predatory · misconduct · abuse · boundary · trauma · victimization · indecent · fondled
fumbled
Handled awkwardly, dropped
- graspedClutched or understood
- reachedArrived at successfully
- felt aroundSearched using touch
clutched · pawed · scrambled · probed · fished · rummaged · patted · grabbed · touched · flailed
hesitant
Slow to act
disoriented · bewildered · lost · unclear · vague · puzzled · searching · aimless · directionless · faltering
fumbling
Clumsy, uncoordinated handling
blackout · pitch-black · lightless · twilight · gloom · blindfolded · obscured · fog · haze · disoriented