1
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
1
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
saw his head poking through the window
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to crawl
to move or act slowly
just poked around all morning and didn't accomplish much
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of poke
Beren Cross, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Jalen Brunson finished with 24 points on 8-of-21 shooting from the field and took a poke to the eye that left a red mark on his face midway through the game.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2025
Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2025
In the event of an attack, poke at its eyes, and punch and kick around its face and head.
—Diamond Walker, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poke
Noun
There was some gentle ribbing about his 25-yard strike being a toe poke.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Jalen Brunson finished with 24 points on 8-of-21 shooting from the field and took a poke to the eye that left a red mark on his face midway through the game.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
During the question-and-answer session, shareholders poked fun at the rivalry between the families that own Hermès and the Arnaults, who control LVMH, and who once made a run for Hermès.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2025
In the event of an attack, poke at its eyes, and punch and kick around its face and head.
—Diamond Walker, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poke
Verb
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But in May 2023, while out for a run, the New Hampshire native noticed something strange: a large bump protruding from her abdomen.—
Jordan Greene,
People.com,
2 May 2025
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The actor shared memories of the time his balls unwittingly protruded out of his boxer briefs during an off-Broadway production, on the latest episode of the SmartLess podcast.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The Democratic Party condemned the Supreme Court, accusing it of trying to interfere in the election.—
Hyung-Jin Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2025
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The evidence is now clear that lactate itself doesn’t interfere in any significant way with muscle function.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside Online,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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When the window broke, the bear crawled out safely and returned to the woods.—
Shyla Watson,
People.com,
10 May 2025
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Inspectors saw one rat crawling from the top equipment shelf in an unapproved back dry storage area onto the roof, and another rat on an electrical line behind a two-door household freezer/refrigerator in the same dry storage area.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Andre needs some help The Brazil international midfielder dragged himself from the field near the end on Saturday, with Pereira later allaying any fears about an injury.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
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Gunther dragged Cole into the ring and threatened to power bomb Cole before McAfee interrupted with a bicycle kick.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
Verb
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But, if those guys [the oligarchs] do start messing everything up, then there is really something for normal people to worry about.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
4 May 2025
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So, avoid messing things up with these simple tips for cooking delicious, juicy cheeseburgers on a propane grill.—
Joe Difazio,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Dip the Blooms: Submerge the flowers in a bowl of cool water for a few seconds to rinse off any lingering ants.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 May 2025
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For more than the past year, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) has missed among the most votes of any senator, rarely attended committee hearings, and become increasingly isolated from his colleagues amid reports of lingering mental health troubles.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Corporate executives don’t want to destroy morale; government agencies must retain reserve; and those of us in the job market – coaches, recruiters, staffers, etc. – must not let pessimism creep in.—
Eli Amdur,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
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But a few prices are starting to creep up, most notably the graphics card.—
Emily Forlini,
PC Magazine,
2 May 2025
Verb
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In addition to its narrative function as a disguise that could help stop people from recognizing that the antiques guy is the same person snooping around in a shady part of the galaxy, Luthen’s wig is part of his character.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2025
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Helping distract the men from the matter at hand was Tim snooping around the Deputy Director’s office, and getting caught.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poke. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
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