groping
Feeling without seeing
Groping is touching someone's body in a sexual way without consent, typically grabbing at breasts, buttocks, or genitals.
The term implies fumbling, unwanted contact rather than a single deliberate act: She reported him for groping her on the subway.
More innocently, groping means feeling about blindly: groping for the light switch, groping for words.
Clumsy, uncoordinated handling
- feelingSensed inner state
- reachingExtending toward something
- probingThoroughly investigating something
- grippingHolding attention completely
clasping · grasping · patting · pawing · exploring · seeking · navigating · finding
Criminal unwanted sexual contact
- fondlingAffectionate tactile contact
- unwantedNot wished for
- touchingEvoking gentle emotion
- inappropriateNot suitable or fitting
assault · violation · misconduct · abuse · predatory · nonconsensual · creepy · intrusive
Uncertain and provisional
- hesitantSlow to act
- stumblingWalking clumsily, almost falling
- falteringBecoming unsteady or weak
- unsureLacking confidence or certainty
blind · halting · aimless · directionless · lost · confused · disoriented · bewildered
fumbling
Clumsy, uncoordinated handling
- feelingSensed inner state
- reachingExtending toward something
- probingThoroughly investigating something
gripping · clasping · grasping · patting · pawing · exploring · seeking · navigating · finding · clutching
molestation
Criminal unwanted sexual contact
inappropriate · assault · violation · misconduct · abuse · predatory · nonconsensual · creepy · intrusive · lewd
tentative
Uncertain and provisional
unsure · blind · halting · aimless · directionless · lost · confused · disoriented · bewildered · floundering
- harassmentstalking, catcalling, verbal abuse, threats, cyberstalking
- misconductmisconduct, bullying, stealing, vandalism, cheating
- Sex Crimesrape, sexual assault, molestation, statutory rape, sexual battery
- street harassmentcatcalling, wolf whistling, following, stalking, verbal abuse
- searchingsearching, rummaging, digging, looking through, finding
- muddlingmuddling, jumbling, scrambling, mixing up, disarranging
gropingunderstanding
Mental comprehension of something
knowing · certain · sure · comprehending · clear
gropinghands-off
Not directly involved
keeping distance · refraining · restraint · asking permission