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
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
Becca Longmire, People.com, 8 May 2025
In Wednesday’s final round, the Jayhawks fired a tournament-low score of 276 (-12) to jump two spots and win the event by three strokes.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2025
Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Looking very Zen and somewhat Gwynn, the slugger stroked three singles in going to right field, center field and left field.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Noun
During his papacy, Francis — who died of a stroke on Monday, April 21 — appointed many cardinals from Asia, Africa and his native South America, rather than Europe.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 8 May 2025
In Wednesday’s final round, the Jayhawks fired a tournament-low score of 276 (-12) to jump two spots and win the event by three strokes.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2025
Verb
Moore was stroking his hand and checking his pulse on occasion.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Looking very Zen and somewhat Gwynn, the slugger stroked three singles in going to right field, center field and left field.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroke
Noun
-
President Donald Trump has failed to make Ed Martin the permanent U.S. prosecutor for the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., in what is a blow to his administration's goals.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
-
The endorsement is also a blow to former Ohio State University football coach and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, who was considering entering the gubernatorial race, as well as Attorney General Dave Yost, who is running to succeed DeWine.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
9 May 2025
Verb
-
The monologue touches Ellie, who caresses her girlfriend’s face.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
11 May 2025
-
Song, not one to be ruled by trends, has found a way to tap into bouclé’s truest original intention: that of softly caressing, thanks to those looped fibers, whoever decides to perch on it.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Gently stretch or massage your muscles. Stretch before working out or going to bed.—
Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH,
Verywell Health,
24 Apr. 2025
-
How To Use Rosemary Oil Apply rosemary oil by massaging it into your scalp with a carrier oil or hair product.—
Carley Millhone,
Health,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Trump-Bush family relationship has at times been rocky, featuring public swipes at one another and a concerted distancing from Trump and MAGA by the Bushes.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
8 May 2025
-
John Lydon took an unexpected swipe at The Rolling Stones during an appearance on a British morning show Wednesday (May 7).—
Glenn Rowley,
Billboard,
8 May 2025
Verb
-
Afterward, wash the cleanser off with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel.4 Some people with sensitive skin find that cleansing with water in the morning is sufficient, and over-cleansing with products can irritate their skin.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
15 May 2025
-
Using paper towels, pat your chicken dry (no need to rinse it first).—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
Despite Wharton puffing his chest in a terrifying bid to control his new wife, however, Serena fights back.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2025
-
That constant gnawing and sucking and puffing and chomping are all tension generators and all bring the focus back to Husk’s facial hair, the accessory that conveys how resigned the character is to his own recklessness.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
My heart thumps, in sync with the pitter-patter of feet on the ground.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Outlook Single Double Triple Homer Texas moved quickly to bring in Pederson after trading Nathaniel Lowe, sacrificing a lot of fielding value but maintaining similar left-handed thump for the lineup.—
Tim Britton,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also congratulated Albanese and said the two countries' defence collaboration, including AUKUS, and support for Ukraine, would grow.—
Kirsty Needham,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
-
Several fan accounts dedicated to the Grammy nominee shared a video of a Times Square billboard congratulating the singer on her Lifetimes tour, which launched on April 23 in Mexico City.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroke. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share