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
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Over the years, researchers have tried to tie your body getting an hour less of sleep that night to a variety of issues, including an increase in car crashes and health problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
—Chris Sims, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Mar. 2026
Sarah Moss, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
For an artisanal twist, look no further than Ezcaray Matisse throw that looks as if Georgia O’Keeffe applied the paint brush strokes herself.
—Kristine Hansen, Architectural Digest, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Noun
Research has linked the March spring forward in time to short-term increases in traffic accidents, heart attacks and strokes.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Over the years, researchers have tried to tie your body getting an hour less of sleep that night to a variety of issues, including an increase in car crashes and health problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
—Chris Sims, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
Influenced by her Indian heritage, Japanese craft philosophy, and the traditions of Shetland knitting, her work is highly distinctive and also wholly wearable; David and I stroked scarves, asymmetric wraps, and sweaters with yearning.
—Sarah Moss, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
For an artisanal twist, look no further than Ezcaray Matisse throw that looks as if Georgia O’Keeffe applied the paint brush strokes herself.
—Kristine Hansen, Architectural Digest, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroke
Noun
-
And the loss of Amarion Dickerson, who would’ve been a key rotation piece, ended up being a major blow for a team that was counting on everyone at the top of the rotation to deliver.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
His win in Istanbul in 2019 represented a crushing blow to Erdogan, whose own political ascent began as the city’s mayor.—
Beril Akman,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The basis of the important therapy stems from studies showing that holding and caressing an animal provides benefits such as relaxation, lower blood pressure, decreasing anxiety, and increasing positivity, according to the news release.—
Dawn Giangiulio,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Williams knows how to humanize this bare-bones vocabulary, minutely adjusting the voicing of a chord or caressing the last of a set of recurring motifs with a regretful ritardando.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Front-row seats offer 30-way adjustability and massaging capabilities.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The main specific risk is the potential for nodules or granulomas (small bumps) forming under the skin, especially if improperly placed or massaged.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With the swipe of a finger, a video plays.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Lashscape Lengthening, Lifting Mascara delivers 12 hours of smudge-resistant lift, length and curl in a single swipe.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For longer storage, freeze blackberries by first rinsing and patting them dry.—
Christine Fiorentino,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Sullivan patted Hafley on the arm.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Top-wise, besides corsetry, retailers will no doubt zero in on silhouettes that float and drape on the body, with Isabella-esque puffed sleeves or Cathy-leaning off-the-shoulder necklines.—
Alice Cary,
Vogue,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Bake cookies, rotating baking sheets top to bottom and front to back halfway through, until slightly puffed and cracked, 11–15 minutes.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There was a sudden, loud thump, and Bernie Watermolen brought us awake with a yell that was enough to raise the dead.—
Doris DeCleene,
Outdoor Life,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Pitchers and catchers report This week, Albernaz gets a glimpse of his pitching staff and catchers, before the thump of an offensive lineup joins the workouts.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Queen Victoria used the wire to congratulate President James Buchanan on the accomplishment, widely considered an engineering marvel at the time.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Sun brought with her a reply letter from Xi Jinping congratulating the Greek scholars on the center’s opening.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroke. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
