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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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
Noun
Anyone hoping Viking crews spent their days dramatically throwing themselves backward with every stroke, however, will be disappointed. — Bailey Berg, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 And if the personalities are painted in broad strokes, the performances, particularly by Condor and Newton, create a resonant enough emotional palette. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 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
  • After Torres broke a tie with a two-run shot in the fifth, Clark delivered his big blow the following inning.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • That was a massive blow, and losing speedy rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell to another knee injury Wednesday didn’t help, either.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 1 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
  • Nike is back adding tech to your footwear with its new massaging slide.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 31 July 2026
  • The peaceful massaging relaxation of these luxurious tubs can be a dream for many.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 29 July 2026
Definition of massage
Noun
  • Nothing completes a look like a satisfying swipe of the perfect lipstick.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The Los Angeles metropolitan area and other big California population centers are below the national average in office attendance, according to Kastle Systems, which tracks badge swipes.
    — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of swipe
Verb
  • When an excitable teenager cut in front of my dad, Frankenstein — without saying a word — gestured for the kid to be patient and wait, patted my dad on the back and posed for a picture.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026
  • Morgan agreed to step out of his sedan, stood in front of a patrol vehicle and allowed officers to pat him down, the recordings showed.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
Definition of pat
Verb
  • The voluminous ivory ball gown featured a ruffled neckline and puffed sleeves, with a sparkling veil and a record-breaking 25-foot train.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
  • The sight of a dough puffing, cheese oozing out its side, becoming browned and crispy…who cannot be swayed?
    — Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 July 2026
Definition of puff
Noun
  • 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
  • Adding more thump around those three is Dana Brown’s foremost goal before Monday’s trade deadline.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of thump
Verb
  • Pezeshkian congratulated Khalil al-Hayya on his election as head of the group’s political bureau and told him Iran would continue supporting the Palestinian cause, according to a Hamas statement posted in Arabic, and reviewed by Fox News Digital.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The text is a reference to the song’s lyrics, which see Bad Bunny congratulating and thanking his parents for giving birth to him.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 31 July 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 5 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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