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

For breakfast, Washed Up Cafe’s breakfast burrito is my post-beach move, while Edible Island’s poke and Brothers smoothies make easy daytime stops. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026

Eco-friendly boutique shops, trendy coffee spots, and cafes selling poke bowls have also popped up throughout the sleepy coastal town. — Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026

Verb

And in those text messages, the fiancé, Richard Falor, appears to be poking holes in her story in the days following Park's disappearance. — Andrea May Sahouri, Freep.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Bryan gets attacked by a dog, who pokes its head through a barn wall…and then the dog’s face splits apart like a flower, with tentacles shooting out. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing poke

• poke fun at