stroke 1 of 2

noun

Definition of strokenext
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

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stroke

2 of 2

verb

ˈstrōk How to pronounce stroke (audio)
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

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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
Noun
People suffering from heat stroke can also have hot, dry skin or profuse sweating and very high body temperatures. — Jonathan Myers, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 Thomas gained strokes on approach in his six visits to TPC Southwind. — Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
But Argentina’s talisman stroked it wide of the net. — David Hickey, NBC news, 23 June 2026 Her philanthropic style is stroking unrestricted checks with no applications, no progress reports, and almost no press. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for stroke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroke
  1. blow
  2. caress
  3. massage
  4. swipe
  5. pat
  6. puff
  7. thump
  8. congratulate
Noun
  • The injury to Tunsil, 32, is a major blow to the Commanders’ hopes of a bounce-back season in 2026.
    — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Rodri's move to Barcelona is a significant blow for Madrid, who have struggled for midfield control since Kroos and Modric departed, and have been trophyless while Barcelona dominated domestically.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • Kikuko cried out as her father’s hand slowly caressed her chest.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In the snap, Portman, who’s expecting her third baby, her first with partner Tanguy Destable, could be seen standing in front of an apartment balcony in an oversized blue button-down, caressing her stomach.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of caress
Verb
  • Use your fingertips to gently massage the cleanser into your skin.
    — Sherri Gordon, HEALTH, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Nike is back adding tech to your footwear with its new massaging slide.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 31 July 2026
Definition of massage
Noun
  • Others—my preference—add a swipe of Dijon and a smattering of sliced cornichons, for a kick of spice and jolt of acidity.
    — Emma Laperruque, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Female excellence only counts when the politics align Wilder’s swipe at Gaines is the easiest place to begin because whether Gaines was a good swimmer isn’t a matter of political opinion.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of swipe
Verb
  • Drake also used the opening portion of the stream to reflect on his recent releases, patting himself on the back a little for dropping three projects at once.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026
  • All of this isn’t just Hollywood patting itself on the back, by the way, a self-congratulation that doesn’t make a peep outside the echo chamber/Peacock Theater.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of pat
Verb
  • Wind would blow the trees against the windows and the humidifier would puff and David would deteriorate in his little slice of existence, running out the clock there on the very edge of other people’s real lives.
    — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The Emanuels created the second dress just in case something happened to Diana’s primary dress, which came complete with a 25-foot train, 10,000 pearls, antique lace, puff sleeves, and a ruffled V-neck.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of puff
Noun
  • The lower-vocal harmony struggles to stand out any time the deeper bass thumps.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Ramirez was Miami’s primary catcher as a rookie last season and can add some thump to Miami’s lineup, but his work defensively remains underwhelming.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of thump
Verb
  • Carr issued a statement congratulating Thumann Severs but did not express any wish for a five-member commission.
    — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Chances are you answer emails while sitting in meetings, listen to podcasts while exercising, scroll your phone while standing in line and congratulate ourselves for squeezing more into every hour.
    — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of congratulate

Phrases Containing stroke

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strode
stroke
stroked
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Cite this Entry

“Stroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroke. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stroke

Nglish: Translation of stroke for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stroke

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