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 linger
to move or act slowly
just poked around all morning and didn't accomplish much
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of poke
Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
There would be a smaller incision, almost like a poke for an IV.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Chris Johnston, New York Times, 6 June 2026
At least one watchdog group expressed concerns that the legislation could poke more holes into the property tax base in the service of very large developers across the state, beyond just the Bears.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for poke
Noun
Classic versions can be found at beloved local institutions like Ono Seafood, KCC Farmers’ Market, and expansive poke bars at ABC Stores across the islands.
—Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
There would be a smaller incision, almost like a poke for an IV.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Verb
The puck ended up crossing the goal line after Golden Knights forward Pavel Dorofeyev poked at the puck in the crease while Andersen scrambled to cover it.
—Chris Johnston, New York Times, 6 June 2026
At least one watchdog group expressed concerns that the legislation could poke more holes into the property tax base in the service of very large developers across the state, beyond just the Bears.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for poke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poke
Noun
-
The jab referenced a growing backlash against the power of major technology firms and fears that artificial intelligence could accelerate job losses.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
-
The anonymity Athlon Sports grants to a Big Ten assistant coach in its annual preview magazine often leads to at least one jab at the Gophers head coach.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The rookie took a deep breath, settled into his stance and watched as Houston’s pitcher, Enyel De Los Santos, attempted to deliver the final blow.—
Latif Love
June 14,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
-
Star third baseman José Ramírez broke a bone in his left hand on a swing Saturday and will be sidelined for an indefinite period, a massive blow to the two-time defending AL Central champions.—
Tom Withers,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Adding insult to injury, those temporary wheels are often uninspiring (and sometimes unfamiliar)—brands such as Skoda, Citroen, Peugeot, and Vauxhall.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
10 June 2026
-
To add nationalistic insult to injury, the head of Wardex isn’t even American.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
At this point, the Essence Essential Oil Nasal Diffusers have earned a spot in my travel pouch alongside lip balm, hand sanitizer, and Advil.—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
9 June 2026
-
The flavor is available in 9-ounce sharing-size pouches.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Features such as surface roughness and protruding fibers create more sites where particles can stick to the outer surface rather than passing through.—
Sumit Mandal,
The Conversation,
9 June 2026
-
In his right leg, Adin's tibia bone was broken in half and protruded through the skin.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Around this time of year, the last properly dark nights are still hanging on before summer twilight starts to interfere.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
6 June 2026
-
The game was not yet codified, and teachers let students organize games without interfering in their play.—
Thomas Adam,
The Conversation,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The one question lingering after the Garrett trade was whether or not his addition would lure Rams great Aaron Donald, 35, out of retirement for one last ride.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
-
When someone of Perkins’ caliber is cast in a recurring role, they won’t be expected to just linger in the background.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Expectations of higher oil prices as the war drags on have kept long-term bond yields elevated, causing mortgage rates to mostly trend higher.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
-
Across a 90-foot wall at the Orlando Museum of Art, Tommerup assembled three monumental pyramids built from canvases dragged through the ocean and Biscayne Bay, dried in flowering trees and tossed from rooftops at dusk, surrendering part of the creative process to nature itself.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Poke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poke. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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