1
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
1
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
saw his head poking through the window
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 crawl
to move or act slowly
just poked around all morning and didn't accomplish much
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of poke
Beren Cross, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Jalen Brunson finished with 24 points on 8-of-21 shooting from the field and took a poke to the eye that left a red mark on his face midway through the game.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2025
Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2025
In the event of an attack, poke at its eyes, and punch and kick around its face and head.
—Diamond Walker, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poke
Noun
There was some gentle ribbing about his 25-yard strike being a toe poke.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Jalen Brunson finished with 24 points on 8-of-21 shooting from the field and took a poke to the eye that left a red mark on his face midway through the game.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
During the question-and-answer session, shareholders poked fun at the rivalry between the families that own Hermès and the Arnaults, who control LVMH, and who once made a run for Hermès.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2025
In the event of an attack, poke at its eyes, and punch and kick around its face and head.
—Diamond Walker, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poke
Verb
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Those bulges protruding like alien offspring are potato, dozens of layers stacked and compressed into golden squares with crisp edges.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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When the mannequin’s arm came off in the scout’s hands – bones protruding – ol’ Elmer became a nationwide mystery.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Democratic Party condemned the Supreme Court, accusing it of trying to interfere in the election.—
Hyung-Jin Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2025
-
The evidence is now clear that lactate itself doesn’t interfere in any significant way with muscle function.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside Online,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Freya crawled on top of her, interrupting the seizure.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
27 Apr. 2025
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Continue to update your site with new, high-quality blogs, and search engines will more frequently crawl your site.—
Tonia Ryan,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The officers then dragged Feliz out of his car, pulling his pants down and exposing his genitals in the process.—
Lourdes Rosado,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2025
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On the flip side, Jamal Murray dragged the Clippers for 43 points.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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So, avoid messing things up with these simple tips for cooking delicious, juicy cheeseburgers on a propane grill.—
Joe Difazio,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
-
European leaders have messed it up in the last three years.—
Peter Aitken,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Private patios are planted with succulents and shaded by native trees, while the center of the property is anchored by a sunken dipping pool and communal fire pit perfect for lingering evenings and slow conversations.—
Michaela Trimble,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2025
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Managers don’t always appreciate lingering legacies.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
His eyes dart to her as his thick mustache creeps up to reveal a half smile.—
Rebecca Angel Baer,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2025
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McGee, Sam, Knight, and Torres creep onto the ship and split into teams of two.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Helping distract the men from the matter at hand was Tim snooping around the Deputy Director’s office, and getting caught.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
14 Apr. 2025
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Snowplow parenting tells me to lean into snooping and send emails to their teachers requesting retakes and extensions.—
Gail Cornwall,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poke. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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