POKE (AROUND) Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

poke (around)

verb

Definition of poke (around)

as in to run down

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for poke (around)

Verb

Although bullying usually runs down the chain of power – for example, from a boss to an employee – grade bullying flips that.

— Jason Walker, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026
The trial for a man accused of fatally running down his 17-year-old girlfriend in Burlington in 2023 continued Monday with his attorney disputing the findings of the medical examiner who ruled the death a homicide.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of run down

Verb

Surprise doesn't necessarily connote a negative experience, but this question is a great way to subtly find out where the pitfalls and unexpected stressors are.

— Farah Sharghi, Contributor, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026
McCarthy said, finding out about the trade at the podium after practice.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of find out

Verb

From his emergence in the mid-1950s until his passing in 2018, Taylor not only disassembled jazz and reconstructed it in his own style, but also found ways to make the world listen.

— Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
Police previously said investigators found no evidence of an actual plan to carry out violence at the school.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of find

Verb

Trade watchers are waiting for Tuesday’s elections to pass to ascertain whether a US-Canada deal is actually imminent.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026
If a blue wave does not materialize and the race for the House majority narrows, how each party makes out could take longer to ascertain.

— Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of ascertain

Verb

Labs are beginning to offer direct-to-consumer tests for detecting microplastics in water.

— Erin Douglas, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
For example, a digital twin of an industrial pump could use vibration and temperature readings to detect changes that indicate developing mechanical problems.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of detect

Verb

In it, a young kid traverses New Orleans to fish, goes door to door selling his game, and learns how to drive, among other things.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026
Regardless, there’s a fascinating swing from FOMO (fear of missing out) to JOMO (joy of missing out), and today’s women are learning that alone time is important for personal growth.

— Cheryl Fenton, Flow Space, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of learn

Verb

No explosives have been discovered at the affected aircraft or broadcasting facilities.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
What the international team did hearkens back to the days of old, when American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of discover

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poke (around)

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“Poke (around).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poke%20%28around%29. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of poke (around)

verb

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