Synonyms of stroke

stroke 1 of 2

noun

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

• blow
• swipe
• thump
• hit
• punch
• slap
• pound
• knock
• thud
• lick
• whack
• poke
• smack
• bang
• beat
• slam
• spank
• clip
• clap
• lash
• switch
• cuff
• bat
• chop
• hook
• stripe
• kick
• belt
• hack
• knee
• crack
• sock
• pounding
• swat
• slug
• clout
• bop
• dab
• buffet
• box
• welt
• fillip
• plump
• pelt
• smash
• stinger
• bust
• biff
• wham
• hand
• licking
• rap
• pick
• wallop
• thwack
• swing
• bash
• beating
• counterstroke
• haymaker
• larrup
• left
• whop
• douse
• right
• body blow
• hammering
• counter
• one-two
• sucker punch
• thrashing
• whip
• shiver
• whipping
• knockdown
• uppercut
• sidewinder
• counterblow
• battering
• knockout
• roundhouse
• drubbing
• rabbit punch
• counterpunch
• KO
• pummeling
• flogging
• bludgeoning
• pasting
• bastinado
• cudgeling
• right-hander
• cruncher
• clobbering
• walloping
• kayo
• lambasting

stroke

2 of 2

verb

ˈstrōk 

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

• caress
• pat
• pet
• love
• hug
• cradle
• fondle
• gentle
• neck
• cuddle
• spoon
• paw
• nuzzle
• snuggle
• massage
• nose
• baby
• feel up
• knead
• bill
• bounce
• nestle
• canoodle
• enfold
• dandle
• pamper
• embrace
• spoil
• indulge
• coddle
• mollycoddle

2

as in to massage

to praise too much

a politician with a special gift for stroking fat-cat donors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• massage
• puff
• congratulate
• honey
• applaud
• praise
• commend
• flatter
• butter up
• overpraise
• belaud
• coax
• soft-soap
• hero-worship
• adulate
• suck (up to)
• blarney
• fawn
• woo
• cajole
• kowtow
• wheedle
• compliment
• eulogize
• romance
• idolize
• blandish
• toady
• felicitate
• extol
• worship
• gush
• laud
• ingratiate
• sweet-talk
• slobber
• court
• endear
• slaver
• drool

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• put down
• decry
• disparage
• depreciate
• belittle
• bad-mouth

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stroke

Noun

Following nearly 140,000 adults, researchers found that every 5 kg reduction in grip strength was tied to a 16% higher risk of all-cause mortality, along with elevated risks of heart attack and stroke. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026

Over the next two hours, the teen had 9 mini-strokes — and after he was transferred to another hospital for blood thinners and blood pressure medication, had 10 more mini-strokes. — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

Verb

The responder then bends down to gently stroke the bird before getting another idea. — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026

Mihyia Davis stroked the next pitch off Slimp’s glove in left for a double and Williams moved to third. — Tim Willert, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026

Phrases Containing stroke

• stroke (out)
• stroke of luck