poke 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of pokenext
1
as in jab
a quick thrust please stop giving the cat pokes while it's trying to sleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument you'd better shut up if you don't want a poke on the nose

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3
as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings the constantly bickering husband and wife seem unable to let five minutes pass without an exchange of gratuitous pokes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

poke

2 of 3

noun (2)

ˈpōk How to pronounce poke (audio)
chiefly Southern & Midland
as in pouch
a container made of a flexible material (as paper or plastic) the old warning against buying a pig in a poke

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poke

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point saw his head poking through the window

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to interfere
to interest oneself in what is not one's concern told him to stop poking into other people's business

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to linger
to move or act slowly just poked around all morning and didn't accomplish much

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to drag
to move slowly they were just poking along home

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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 poke
Noun
Toss shredded lettuce into grain bowls, burrito bowls, or poke bowls. — Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 31 July 2026 The sushi burger, a mashup of a poke bowl and a handheld burger, has made its way to Pembroke Pines. — Carla Mendez, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
Verb
At first glance, corals present as little more than colorful rocks — piles of lobes, stalagmites, and branches poking out from the seafloor. — Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026 Even in the bathrooms, the toilet and bidet are concealed inside a kind of Travertine bench and the showerhead pokes out from a monolithic stone slab. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for poke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poke
  1. jab
  2. blow
  3. insult
  4. pouch
  5. protrude
  6. interfere
  7. linger
  8. drag
Noun
  • The true pioneers are jonesing for a jab of the stuff, and a raft of entrepreneurs are jostling to become the go-to providers of this bleeding-edge therapy.
    — Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 9 Aug. 2026
  • What people may not know is that this is not the world's first mRNA flu jab; in April, Moderna was given the green light in Europe for its combined COVID-19 and influenza vaccine, mCombriax.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of jab
Noun
  • The injury to Tunsil, 32, is a major blow to the Commanders’ hopes of a bounce-back season in 2026.
    — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Rodri's move to Barcelona is a significant blow for Madrid, who have struggled for midfield control since Kroos and Modric departed, and have been trophyless while Barcelona dominated domestically.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of blow
Noun
  • There’s blood and insults and exasperation and pain and horror.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The amendment aims to prevent players from hiding insults or other abuse — including discriminatory remarks — behind their hand, arm or jersey.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of insult
Noun
  • Then Green, his wife and Beloozerov spent the next several days planning their trip and eating meals Beloozerov paid for in cash pulled from a pouch around his neck stocked with $100, $50 and $2 bills.
    — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Pendleton’s travel-ready design leans into that ritual with a roll-up board printed in one of the heritage brand’s iconic patterns, reversible wooden pieces, and a vegan leather pouch for toting it around.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of pouch
Verb
  • The visual form demands a stark contrast between the protruding belly and the slimness of the rest of a woman’s body.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Tap the Cleaning Path Preferences tab to choose between Full Coverage Mode, which provides the most thorough cleaning coverage for square and rectangular pools, and Edge Guard Mode, designed for pools with protruding edges (coping).
    — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of protrude
Verb
  • But as China’s 2018 detention of two Canadian citizens after Canada arrested a Huawei executive showed, the party readily interferes in the legal system when important interests are at stake.
    — Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Liv Morgan was caught trying to interfere in the match, which led to Perez’s disqualification.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of interfere
Verb
  • In astrology, Venus governs love, pleasure, money, relationships and values, while Pluto exposes what’s lingering beneath the surface.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Any lingering hope that Netanyahu could be convinced to take part in such an endeavor now looks for the birds.
    — Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of linger
Verb
  • Pourrain submitted a request for extension of his stay, was awaiting an appointment, the process dragged on for years, and in the meantime, he was granted a work permit and had a valid driver’s license.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2026
  • But Beaman is quick to point out that people shouldn't simply head into the woods and start dragging things out themselves.
    — Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of drag

Phrases Containing poke

Browse Nearby Words

poisons
poke
poke (around)
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Cite this Entry

“Poke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poke. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on poke

Nglish: Translation of poke for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about poke

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