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
Oleg Cetinic,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
Instead, the man was sent to a long-term care facility that does not have any specialty services for those who have had a stroke, Conway said.
—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
22 June 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
More above-average temperatures are expected this summer, which can cause heat exhaustion and life-threatening heat stroke.
—
Oleg Cetinic,
Fortune,
22 June 2026
Instead, the man was sent to a long-term care facility that does not have any specialty services for those who have had a stroke, Conway said.
—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
22 June 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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Meanwhile in Boston, England huffed and puffed but could not blow Ghana away.
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Place puffed corn in a large 17x12x2-inch roasting pan.
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 2 Jul. 2026.
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