Synonyms of poke

poke 1 of 3

noun (1)

1

as in jab

a quick thrust

please stop giving the cat pokes while it's trying to sleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jab
• punch
• dig
• stab
• push
• lunge
• nudge
• dab
• stick
• shove
• jerk
• jam
• jog

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insult
• sarcasm
• slap
• dart
• barb
• outrage
• dig
• attack
• indignity
• slight
• affront
• name
• offense
• epithet
• cut
• slur
• personality
• taunt
• dis
• brickbat
• gird
• disgrace
• mock
• sneer
• criticism
• gibe
• put-down
• abuse
• jeer
• swipe
• shame
• invective
• quip
• disapproval
• vituperation
• knock
• torture
• catcall
• opprobrium
• dishonor
• slam
• torment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• compliment
• praise
• commendation
• applause
• acclaim
• flattery
• accolade
• adulation

poke

2 of 3

noun (2)

ˈpōk 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pouch
• bag
• sack
• backpack
• package
• wallet
• bundle
• purse
• packet
• pack
• duffel bag
• pocketbook
• traveling bag
• portmanteau
• satchel
• tote
• tote bag
• shopping bag
• rucksack
• knapsack
• haversack
• handbag
• parcel
• carryall
• garment bag
• kit bag
• work bag
• ditty bag
• flight bag
• barracks bag

poke

3 of 3

verb

1

as in to protrude

to extend outward beyond a usual point

saw his head poking through the window

Synonyms & Similar Words

• protrude
• bulge
• jut
• stand out
• swell
• bunch
• stick out
• balloon
• beetle
• pout
• project
• pouch
• start
• overhang
• billow
• belly
• pooch
• extend
• dome
• bag
• stretch
• inflate
• lengthen
• distend
• dilate
• expand
• blow up
• mushroom
• elongate
• snowball

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shrink
• compress
• contract
• condense
• constrict

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• interfere
• mess
• snoop
• pry
• meddle
• intervene
• intrude
• obtrude
• nose
• butt in
• intermeddle
• interlope
• muck (about or around)
• invade
• intercede
• fool
• encroach
• tamper
• trespass
• interpose
• play
• infringe
• fiddle
• monkey
• chisel (in)
• barge (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• avoid
• ignore
• shun
• eschew
• disregard
• neglect
• overlook

3

as in to linger

to move or act slowly

just poked around all morning and didn't accomplish much

Synonyms & Similar Words

• linger
• crawl
• drag
• delay
• creep
• stroll
• play
• diddle
• hang fire
• fall behind
• loiter
• mark time
• shuffle
• stall
• dawdle
• drop behind
• lag
• mope
• lollygag
• tarry
• lounge
• dillydally
• take one's time
• stagger
• idle
• drag one's feet
• shilly-shally
• saunter
• dally
• fiddle (around)
• trifle
• fool around
• amble
• loaf
• loll
• hang (around or out)
• putter (around)
• potter (around)
• mess around
• temporize
• monkey (around)
• decelerate
• ease
• slow (down or up)
• inch
• plod
• procrastinate
• lumber
• filibuster

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tear
• fly
• rip
• run
• course
• rush
• hurry
• race
• scurry
• rocket
• scoot
• career
• speed
• hasten
• dash
• whirl
• bolt
• breeze
• whisk
• dart
• scramble
• barrel
• zip
• run
• hump
• hurtle
• hustle
• stampede
• jog
• trot
• whiz
• gallop
• accelerate
• scud
• sprint
• quicken
• speed (up)
• hotfoot (it)
• bowl
• catch up
• overtake
• outrun
• outpace
• outstrip
• fast-forward

4

as in to drag

to move slowly

they were just poking along home

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drag
• crawl
• creep
• shuffle
• snail
• limp
• nose
• ooze
• inch
• slouch
• creak (along)
• plod
• trudge
• tramp
• shamble
• lumber

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• race
• fly
• speed
• float
• sail
• glide
• tear
• zip
• whiz
• hurry

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of poke

Noun

When the solid Earth tips out of alignment, it is driven through the watery bulge, and parts of the rock poke out of the water while others get drowned. — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026

What’s different at Guard and Grace is Guard, who’s Hawaiian-born, has traveled widely and isn’t afraid to put Pop Rocks into a poke or craft a country ham tasting paired with pimento cheese. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2026

Verb

No one’s criticizing it or poking holes in it, except in good-natured ways. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026

Rodstrom, a capable young lawyer, would have emulated outgoing Commissioner John Herbst, who used financial skills to poke holes through questionable land deals and spending decisions. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026

Phrases Containing poke

• poke fun at