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
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Recent Examples of stroke
Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 4 May 2026
Derry was forced off following an aerial collision with Forest’s Zach Abbott in the penalty area on the stroke of half time at Stamford Bridge.
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 4 May 2026
David Di Sabatino, SPIN, 3 Apr. 2026
Assisted by Godo, Guessand coolly stroked the ball past Jo Hyeon-woo in the South Korea net from inside the box in the 35th minute.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Noun
These are broad strokes, of course — there are more than 1,300 entries on the main Lively-Baldoni docket for a legal battle that’s 18 months old.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 4 May 2026
Derry was forced off following an aerial collision with Forest’s Zach Abbott in the penalty area on the stroke of half time at Stamford Bridge.
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Verb
Elton John doing a handstand on his keyboard, Roger Daltrey stroking a microphone, Ian Anderson making the flute somehow look cool — his pictures became a means of connection for fans.
—David Di Sabatino, SPIN, 3 Apr. 2026
Assisted by Godo, Guessand coolly stroked the ball past Jo Hyeon-woo in the South Korea net from inside the box in the 35th minute.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroke
Noun
-
Amid aspersions and attack ads, the pair nearly came to blows at a community debate.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
From there, both fighters were trading blows, but the fifth round was when Strickland had an interesting moment with Chimaev.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Grudda pushed Barkow's wheelchair through the zoo, her hands caressing her mother's shoulders or pointing out the animals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Electric Bleu is French food caressed with California seasonality and the occasional pop of Aussie nostalgia.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Berrios-Otero was later seen allegedly massaging both boys, including one of them in their groin and buttocks area, the warrant affidavits said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
-
Not every type of kale needs massaging.—
Zoe Denenberg,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Simply apply to a cotton pad and swipe across your face as normal.—
Rosa Jisoo Pyo,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
-
Lawmakers this year took their first swipe in decades at changing Florida’s surrogacy laws, adopted in 1993.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Gonzalez, who was wearing a blue, button-up shirt and khaki pants, patted the back of his attorney, Jude Faccidomo.—
Grethel Aguila,
Sun Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
Gonzalez, who was wearing a blue button up-shirt and khaki pants, patted the back of his attorney, Jude Faccidomo.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cook for 4-6mins on each side until puffed and cooked through.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
9 May 2026
-
With a feminine square neckline, puffed sleeves, and a figure-flattering smocked bodice, this beautiful dress embodies fairy tale-like elegance.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
The Yankees need Wells to provide at least some thump in a bottom third of the order that hasn’t been very good.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Moments later, a bass thump sounded in the distance.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sometimes, the crowd at a nearby ballpark will issue a rousing cheer – as if congratulating you on a hike well done.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
When students redeem their award, the restaurant manager will congratulate them and give them a colorful BJ's Awesome Achievement silicone bracelet.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroke. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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