as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
all it took was one hard stroke to knock the ball out of the tree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to caress
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
the young mother gently stroked the sleeping child's brow and then leaned over and kissed him
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to massage
to praise too much
a politician with a special gift for stroking fat-cat donors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stroke
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2025
The winners came up with creations that are intended improve transplant outcomes, improve analysis of ECGs, stroke prediction, optimization of emergency department resources, and more.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 8 July 2025
Robeson Bailey, Outdoor Life, 11 June 2025
When both the hidden real hand and the visible fake hand are stroked simultaneously with brushes, many people begin to feel that the rubber hand belongs to them, which shows how the brain integrates visual and tactile cues to create a sense of body ownership.
—Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Noun
Familiarize yourself with warning signs: Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2025
The winners came up with creations that are intended improve transplant outcomes, improve analysis of ECGs, stroke prediction, optimization of emergency department resources, and more.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 8 July 2025
Verb
Wells, a kind-hearted man, reached out and stroked the beast’s neck.
—Robeson Bailey, Outdoor Life, 11 June 2025
When both the hidden real hand and the visible fake hand are stroked simultaneously with brushes, many people begin to feel that the rubber hand belongs to them, which shows how the brain integrates visual and tactile cues to create a sense of body ownership.
—Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroke
Noun
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Pang’s departure is a blow to Apple’s AI ambitions and comes amid internal scrutiny of its AI strategy, which has so far failed to match the capabilities fielded by rival tech companies, leaving Apple dependent on third-party AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
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The oil industry lobbies fiercely against such changes, arguing any state that adopts them would drive producers to friendlier regions, causing a blow to state coffers.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
7 July 2025
Verb
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The pair hit the red carpet for the annual NFL Honors events in Phoenix in 2023 and in New Orleans in 2025, with Arik proudly caressing Mindy’s pregnant belly at the latter.—
Emily Krauser,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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The post included a black-and-white clip of Kelly caressing the newborn's hand.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The fast-absorbing oil can be massaged onto damp skin post-shower, or drop it into the bath for a fragrant, skin-nourishing soak.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
28 June 2025
-
Standard features include heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, with the usual upgrades – but none truly groundbreaking – available.—
Jim Gorzelany,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
So in other words, give your shoes a good swipe before stepping inside.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 July 2025
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The Tarte Brows for Days Framing Gel was made for anyone who wants definition, fuller-looking brows, and serious hold (without stickiness) in a single swipe.—
Marie Lodi,
Allure,
5 July 2025
Verb
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It can be pat on the skin under the eyes, but should be used with extreme care.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
14 July 2025
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As Stanway had passed back to her, the midfielder had patted the air in the universal gesture for ‘calm it down, there’s no rush’.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
Verb
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The best keratosis pilaris treatment products, at a glance This one ranked best overall for its elite combination of chemical and physical exfoliants (pumice puffing beads) that leave the skin exceptionally smooth and bright.—
Talia Abbas,
Glamour,
23 June 2025
-
None of this is pedantic, nor is it puffed up with moral outrage.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2025
Noun
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Above her, the sweeping halo scoreboard glowed, flashing beneath the thump of blasting pop anthems.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
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On the footage, the sound is a muffled thump, and neither Rush nor Foss seemed alarmed.—
Jenny Porter Tilley,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Among those congratulating Affleck on Instagram are her Mormon Wives co-stars, and fellow moms-to-be Mayci Neeley and Mikayla Matthews.—
Sari Hitchins,
Parents,
3 July 2025
-
Keynote speaker and commanding officer Marine Corps Col. Kwabena K. Gyimah shared his personal journey as a son of parents who immigrated from Ghana and congratulated the troops.—
David J. Bohnet,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroke. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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