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
These brain changes can, however, be early warning signs in the years before the onset of a stroke or memory problems. — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Daniel Hillier of New Zealand was the only player to finish within five strokes of Chacarra after shooting 64 and 67 over the weekend. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Verb
Rookie Ethan Salas stroked an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning Saturday night as the San Diego Padres edged the visiting Miami Marlins 7-6. — Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026 But Kim stroked a walk-off single into left field in the ninth inning off Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott to give the Atlanta Braves a 6-5 victory over the Dodgers on Wednesday night. — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 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
  • Now, in yet another blow to national self-esteem, the ex-head of Germany’s foreign intelligence agency, the BND, has been arrested on charges of exploiting state secrets.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The pro-Western opposition parties won big Saturday in the Czech Republic’s vote to fill one-third of the seats in Parliament’s upper house, the Senate, handing a blow to the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of blow
Verb
  • As if that same sea that caresses the feet of the palms were doing it now in Tokyo, in your house.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Breasts are caressed and thighs crisscross; kisses are planted, and occasionally there’s a glimpse of something more graphic.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of caress
Verb
  • The longer bristles can reach through the hair to massage the scalp, while the shorter ones help separate strands and work shampoo or conditioner through the hair.
    — Laura Sandroni, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Someone from Hästens will come to your bedroom thrice a year to massage, fluff and flip those layers, thereby dispensing with whatever malformations your body may have inflicted upon its perfect design and making everything right in the world again.
    — Jaklin Romine Oct. 15, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of massage
Noun
  • We’re hooked on the Panorama Chromatics Mascara in Burgundy Cashmere, a deep, warm burgundy that gives subtle drama and flatters every eye color, but the other two low-commitment shades—Blue Suede and Brown Leather—are also worth the swipe.
    — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Ella Langley appeared to take a subtle swipe at fellow star Riley Green on a recent Instagram livestream.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of swipe
Verb
  • In 2022, the paparazzi leaked photos of the two holding hands, nestled into each other at a New York bar, and Holmes patting Robach on the rear.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • And, like with Quincosa, a Customs agent patted Castillo down and found multiple plastic tubes covered in tape concealed under his pants.
    — David Goodhue October 7, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of pat
Verb
  • Hutch sat with his back against the palm, eyes puffed and closed.
    — Gerald R. Hunter, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Uncover and continue baking for 20 to 25 minutes, until the top is puffed and appears dry, and a toothpick inserted into the brownie portion near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of puff
Noun
  • But the knock on them has been the lack of thump in their lineup.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The brutalist thump of drummer Moe Tucker renders the showmen in Led Zeppelin and the Who irrelevant.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of thump
Verb
  • The tragedy unfolded just one day after the archdiocese congratulated Sánchez Molinari on the anniversary of his ordination, Ecuadorian news outlet Primicias reported.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • How Mana got his start A young man walking on Flagler recognized Mana and stopped to shake his hand, congratulating him on the recent billion-dollar sale in Wynwood.
    — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 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 22 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stroke

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