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
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Recent Examples of stroke
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
2 July 2026
During extreme heat events, people may also experience heat stroke, which the CDC notes is when the body can no longer regulate its temperature and body temperature rises quickly, up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, within 10 to 15 minutes.
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Yi-Jin Yu,
ABC News,
2 July 2026
Fran Moreland Johns,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
On that bed my mother would stroke my hair and hands.
—
Chiara Barzini,
Vogue,
9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Noun
But nighttime temperatures are staying unusually warm, too, raising the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke even higher, especially for people without access to air conditioning.
—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
2 July 2026
During extreme heat events, people may also experience heat stroke, which the CDC notes is when the body can no longer regulate its temperature and body temperature rises quickly, up to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, within 10 to 15 minutes.
—
Yi-Jin Yu,
ABC News,
2 July 2026
Verb
There was only one other visitor, another mother stroking another small head.
—
Fran Moreland Johns,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
On that bed my mother would stroke my hair and hands.
—
Chiara Barzini,
Vogue,
9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroke
Noun
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While dealing real damage, Moscow’s ability to adapt has prevented Ukraine’s drone campaign from dealing the decisive blow Kyiv’s allies had hoped.
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Apple could still handle the iPhone differently by raising only Pro model prices, adjusting storage tiers, leaning on carrier promotions or pushing trade-in offers harder to soften the blow.
Verb
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After examining her injury, Brito began to caress and massage Patient 1’s foot under the guise of providing care.
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Richer, more concentrated Prosecco with delectable flavors of nectarine tart and apricot preserves with intense minerality and delicate bubbles that caress the palate.
Verb
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The in-shower treatment is meant to be used post-cleansing; simply massage it into wet hair and rinse it out two-to-three times a week.
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Showerhead Upgrade An easier, DIY-friendly spa treat is a handheld massaging showerhead.
Noun
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On Tuesday, protesters were asked to bring diapers and write demands for Pradhan’s resignation on them – a satirical swipe at the government’s inability to stop exam leaks, Dipke said.
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That is exactly what happened after Wilson Isidor took the breath away with a swipe of his right foot to send a ferocious, bending, goal-of-the-tournament contender past Yassine Bounou.
Verb
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Been shooting some nice low scores in these last couple weeks outs here, so that’s something good to pat myself on the back.
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One of his lawyers, Benjamin Zeman, patted the director's back.
Verb
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From wedding-guest-worthy dresses to a $15 casual T-shirt dress, our top picks have loose cap sleeves, breezy bell sleeves perfect for the Southern heat, and puff sleeves for a touch of drama.
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Featuring a delicate lace trim, a V-neckline, buttons up the front, and lightly puffed sleeves, this top is beyond gorgeous.
Noun
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That next phase will focus on measuring the shockwaves generated by the X-59 in flight, along with evaluating the sonic thump impact on the ground.
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Not long after, Jamison’s parents reported hearing a loud thump, as though someone had fallen, according to prosecutors.
Verb
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The State Department on Tuesday congratulated conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori after she was declared the winner of Peru’s presidential runoff election by a razor-thin margin.
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In 2010, on Respect for the Aged Day, Japanese officials sought out a Tokyo man named Sogen Kato to congratulate him on living to a hundred and eleven.
Cite this Entry
“Stroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroke. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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