Synonyms of poke

poke 1 of 3

noun (1)

1

as in jab

a quick thrust

please stop giving the cat pokes while it's trying to sleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jab
• punch
• dig
• stab
• push
• lunge
• nudge
• dab
• stick
• shove
• jerk
• jam
• jog

2

as in blow

a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument

you'd better shut up if you don't want a poke on the nose

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blow
• slap
• swipe
• hit
• punch
• thump
• knock
• whack
• smack
• stroke
• thud
• pound
• lick
• spank
• bang
• slam
• beat
• hook
• clap
• clip
• chop
• kick
• switch
• swat
• lash
• smash
• crack
• hack
• pick
• bop
• bat
• sock
• bash
• pelt
• dab
• slug
• plump
• cuff
• belt
• box
• stripe
• thwack
• rap
• stinger
• welt
• buffet
• licking
• biff
• bust
• knee
• fillip
• pounding
• clout
• douse
• wham
• wallop
• swing
• hand
• beating
• haymaker
• whop
• left
• larrup
• counter
• right
• hammering
• body blow
• whip
• sucker punch
• shiver
• whipping
• counterstroke
• roundhouse
• counterblow
• one-two
• counterpunch
• thrashing
• uppercut
• rabbit punch
• KO
• pummeling
• knockdown
• battering
• knockout
• flogging
• pasting
• sidewinder
• bludgeoning
• drubbing
• cudgeling
• clobbering
• cruncher
• lambasting
• walloping
• bastinado
• kayo
• right-hander

3

as in insult

an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings

the constantly bickering husband and wife seem unable to let five minutes pass without an exchange of gratuitous pokes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insult
• sarcasm
• slap
• dart
• barb
• outrage
• dig
• attack
• indignity
• slight
• affront
• name
• offense
• epithet
• cut
• slur
• personality
• taunt
• dis
• brickbat
• gird
• disgrace
• mock
• sneer
• criticism
• gibe
• put-down
• abuse
• jeer
• swipe
• shame
• invective
• quip
• disapproval
• vituperation
• knock
• torture
• catcall
• opprobrium
• dishonor
• slam
• torment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• compliment
• praise
• commendation
• applause
• acclaim
• flattery
• accolade
• adulation

poke

2 of 3

noun (2)

ˈpōk 

chiefly Southern & Midland

as in pouch

a container made of a flexible material (as paper or plastic)

the old warning against buying a pig in a poke

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pouch
• bag
• sack
• backpack
• package
• wallet
• bundle
• purse
• packet
• pack
• duffel bag
• pocketbook
• traveling bag
• portmanteau
• satchel
• tote
• tote bag
• shopping bag
• rucksack
• knapsack
• haversack
• handbag
• parcel
• carryall
• garment bag
• kit bag
• work bag
• ditty bag
• flight bag
• barracks bag

poke

3 of 3

verb

1

as in to protrude

to extend outward beyond a usual point

saw his head poking through the window

Synonyms & Similar Words

• protrude
• bulge
• jut
• stand out
• swell
• bunch
• stick out
• balloon
• beetle
• pout
• project
• pouch
• start
• overhang
• billow
• belly
• pooch
• extend
• dome
• bag
• stretch
• inflate
• lengthen
• distend
• dilate
• expand
• blow up
• mushroom
• elongate
• snowball

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shrink
• compress
• contract
• condense
• constrict

2

as in to interfere

to interest oneself in what is not one's concern

told him to stop poking into other people's business

Synonyms & Similar Words

• interfere
• mess
• snoop
• pry
• meddle
• intervene
• intrude
• obtrude
• nose
• butt in
• intermeddle
• interlope
• muck (about or around)
• invade
• intercede
• fool
• encroach
• tamper
• trespass
• interpose
• play
• infringe
• fiddle
• monkey
• chisel (in)
• barge (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• avoid
• ignore
• shun
• eschew
• disregard
• neglect
• overlook

3

as in to linger

to move or act slowly

just poked around all morning and didn't accomplish much

Synonyms & Similar Words

• linger
• crawl
• drag
• delay
• creep
• stroll
• play
• diddle
• hang fire
• fall behind
• loiter
• mark time
• shuffle
• stall
• dawdle
• drop behind
• lag
• mope
• lollygag
• tarry
• lounge
• dillydally
• take one's time
• stagger
• idle
• drag one's feet
• shilly-shally
• saunter
• dally
• fiddle (around)
• trifle
• fool around
• amble
• loaf
• loll
• hang (around or out)
• putter (around)
• potter (around)
• mess around
• temporize
• monkey (around)
• decelerate
• ease
• slow (down or up)
• inch
• plod
• procrastinate
• lumber
• filibuster

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tear
• fly
• rip
• run
• course
• rush
• hurry
• race
• scurry
• rocket
• scoot
• career
• speed
• hasten
• dash
• whirl
• bolt
• breeze
• whisk
• dart
• scramble
• barrel
• zip
• run
• hump
• hurtle
• hustle
• stampede
• jog
• trot
• whiz
• gallop
• accelerate
• scud
• sprint
• quicken
• speed (up)
• hotfoot (it)
• bowl
• catch up
• overtake
• outrun
• outpace
• outstrip
• fast-forward

4

as in to drag

to move slowly

they were just poking along home

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drag
• crawl
• creep
• shuffle
• snail
• limp
• nose
• ooze
• inch
• slouch
• creak (along)
• plod
• trudge
• tramp
• shamble
• lumber

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• race
• fly
• speed
• float
• sail
• glide
• tear
• zip
• whiz
• hurry

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of poke

Noun

As Folarin Balogun’s left-footed poke tickled the back of the net to give the Americans a 1-0 lead just before halftime, beer can after beer can was lowered to half-staff. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 2 July 2026

Earlier, authorities blocked access to excerpts of Goktas' show, including pokes at Erdogan, that were uploaded onto social media. — ABC News, 2 July 2026

Verb

On that occasion, Argentina sought to prod, poke and provoke; Enzo Fernandez left one on the head of Elliot Anderson early on, Leandro Paredes caught the ankle of Jude Bellingham. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Before watering plants, poke a finger, a wood chopstick, or a wooden skewer a few inches into the soil to check for moisture. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 July 2026

Phrases Containing poke

• poke fun at