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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stroke
Grace Hase, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
Haidt has responded by defending his work, and pointing to the broad policy strokes leaders are taking.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 20 Sep. 2025
Wendy sits across from her and begins to stroke Lizzo’s palms with the tips of her aqua-and-pink acrylic nails.
—Allison P. Davis, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Noun
The county reopened the trauma center along with stroke and heart attack services on its first day of ownership earlier this year.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
Haidt has responded by defending his work, and pointing to the broad policy strokes leaders are taking.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
But Ethan’s out there getting loose and stroking it.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 20 Sep. 2025
Wendy sits across from her and begins to stroke Lizzo’s palms with the tips of her aqua-and-pink acrylic nails.
—Allison P. Davis, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroke
Noun
-
That’s when Carr should be able to deliver the final blow against a USC defense that ranks among the Power 4’s worst against the pass.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Experts say the collapse of the talks marks not only a significant blow for attempts to clean up a heavily climate-polluting industry, undermining decades of negotiations, but also represents yet another failure of climate diplomacy.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Then Jennifer Tilly’s hand gently caresses Gina Gershon’s face from her cheek down to her chin.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The Young Pope star was seen caressing Coan’s back and whispering in her ear.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Cornerback Darnay Holmes, suffering from a thigh cramp and desperate to return to the game in the final minutes, pulled down his uniform pants — exposing his backside — while a trainer vigorously massaged the area.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Some bridesmaids prayed, others massaged her head, while others burned Palo Santo and turned to natural remedies.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Recently, Clarins added soothing raspberry water and free-radical-fighting nipplewort (yes, that’s a real plant), so every swipe feels like a mini spa treatment for your pout.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Two or three coats before each class—a fresh swipe after lunch.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Quaid was seen patting his former costars’ shoulders and giving them words of encouragement before the performance.—
Stephanie Wenger,
PEOPLE,
15 Oct. 2025
-
On one occasion, backup goalkeeper Matt Turner, seated to Pulisic’s right, put his left arm around Pulisic and patted his back, consoling him.—
Paul Tenorio,
New York Times,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Lloyd evaded a diving Mahomes, Kareem Hunt and a streaking Tyquan Thornton for a huff-and-puff 99-yard interception return for a touchdown.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The president has increasingly embraced fake images and videos — some appearing to be AI-generated — to mock and taunt political rivals while also puffing up his image.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones are all about feeling every thump, and beat.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Another Boras client, Cody Bellinger, was nearing the end of his second season in Chicago, which did not deliver as much thump as his MVP-level 2023 campaign.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As commissioner Cathy Engelbert took the microphone to congratulate the Las Vegas Aces and crown them the WNBA champions, fans in Phoenix drowned out her message with relentless booing.—
Shannon Ryan,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
-
One attendee in the crowd was even spotted giving the middle finger while Engelbert spoke to congratulate the Aces.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroke. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share