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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to crawl
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
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 June 2025
The new gloves were designed to reduce eye pokes and hand injuries, but fighters began to speak about issues with the new gloves.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2025
The good, the bad and the WTF style moments celebrities served up this week
Justin Bieber showed off a hoodie poking fun at a recent viral moment, and fans instantly began clamoring for the item (future SKYLRK merch perhaps?).
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poke
Noun
Really, Lundell was sent off for sparking a post-horn mini-rumble with an extra poke at Skinner as time expired in the period.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 10 June 2025
The new gloves were designed to reduce eye pokes and hand injuries, but fighters began to speak about issues with the new gloves.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025
Verb
Before watering, always check the soil’s moisture first by poking a finger into the top of the soil.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2025
The good, the bad and the WTF style moments celebrities served up this week
Justin Bieber showed off a hoodie poking fun at a recent viral moment, and fans instantly began clamoring for the item (future SKYLRK merch perhaps?).
—Catherine Santino, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poke
Verb
-
Tung’s front layers were slicked across the right side of her forehead and brushed behind her ear; her short ends protruded out underneath.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
30 July 2025
-
In person the tremendous symmetry of her face was startling; her cheekbones protruded, and her eyes were far apart.—
Darcey Steinke,
Vogue,
27 July 2025
Verb
-
Robert Mueller, who ultimately took over the probe as special counsel, concluded that the Russian government interfered to help then-presidential candidate Donald Trump defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, but that there was not evidence anyone in the Trump campaign colluded with Russia.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
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Sky positioned herself for an Over the Moonsault, but Ripley interfered, Naomi kicked Ripley off the top rope and hit a split-legged Moonsault.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Adam crawls along the floor, left, about to put his finger in an electrical outlet, right, while his baby watches from afar.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
-
This setup enabled the robots to crawl using sequential contractions and relaxation—much like a caterpillar.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In doing so, the currents drag swimmers out into open waters.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
16 Aug. 2025
-
One person would hold the rod and drag ashore a thrashing, 200-pound sawfish.—
Jack Prator,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The major project of modern Democratic politics, from the pages of Abundance to California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s campaign stops in South Carolina, is convincing people that their party can be trusted to govern without messing things up.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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Here's how to enjoy your garden flowers indoors while keeping insects and mess out.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Even as Andrew James McGann sits in jail accused of the ghastly double murder of parents on a hike at a state park in the Ozark Mountains, key questions linger about the motive.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Debt from a 2018 restructuring lingered and mall traffic, especially in secondary locations, continued to decline.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Still, Windows 11, the figure Microsoft is keenest to see grow is creeping up and is now at 59.9%, almost exactly three fifths, then.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Raven motifs crept into the production design at every turn: Nevermore Academy’s front gates, Principal Weems’ office, roof tiles that resembled feathers, and the school’s mascot.—
Daron James,
IndieWire,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Hoping to be allowed to see Tyler, who is chained in solitary confinement, Thornhill tells Dr. Fairburn that Fester is there to snoop on Wednesday’s behalf.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
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Don't let that be an excuse to start snooping and reading your neighbor's mail.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poke. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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