1
2
as in blows
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 insults
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
as in pouches
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 protrudes
to extend outward beyond a usual point
saw his head poking through the window
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in interferes
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 crawls
to move or act slowly
just poked around all morning and didn't accomplish much
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pokes
Keith Langston, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
During anagen, the hair follicle will produce a new shaft–the part of the follicle that pokes above the skin.
—Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2025
These are separated by the Sorrento Peninsula, a promontory of land that pokes southwestward and includes the city of Sorrento on its northern shore and the Amalfi Coast along is southern stretch.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
This occurs as bright points of light appear when sunlight pokes through valleys and mountain ridges on the moon, just before or after the period of totality.
—Brett Tingley, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Co-created by frequent collaborators Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen (who also stars), The Studio is a flashy, frenetic, laugh-out-loud comedy that pokes fun at Hollywood.
—Photo: Courtesy Of Warner Bros. Pictures., refinery29.com, 3 Mar. 2025
The playing surface is worn, bicycles are propped up around its perimeter and the spire of a small local church pokes over the top of the surrounding buildings.
—Ben Church, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025
While the tune pokes fun at outgoing president Biden, there are a number of lines that are aimed at the transgender community, which are downright disgusting.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
The post had been liked more than 30,000 times, and Ted has since appeared in by his owner that pokes fun at the candid video becoming an unexpected viral sensation.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
The series pokes fun at musical tropes and also has hilarious songs of its own.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
During anagen, the hair follicle will produce a new shaft–the part of the follicle that pokes above the skin.
—Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2025
These are separated by the Sorrento Peninsula, a promontory of land that pokes southwestward and includes the city of Sorrento on its northern shore and the Amalfi Coast along is southern stretch.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
This occurs as bright points of light appear when sunlight pokes through valleys and mountain ridges on the moon, just before or after the period of totality.
—Brett Tingley, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Co-created by frequent collaborators Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen (who also stars), The Studio is a flashy, frenetic, laugh-out-loud comedy that pokes fun at Hollywood.
—Photo: Courtesy Of Warner Bros. Pictures., refinery29.com, 3 Mar. 2025
The playing surface is worn, bicycles are propped up around its perimeter and the spire of a small local church pokes over the top of the surrounding buildings.
—Ben Church, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025
While the tune pokes fun at outgoing president Biden, there are a number of lines that are aimed at the transgender community, which are downright disgusting.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
The post had been liked more than 30,000 times, and Ted has since appeared in by his owner that pokes fun at the candid video becoming an unexpected viral sensation.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pokes
Verb
-
Elsewhere, Morgan interferes when Elliot admits to not being invited to his classmate’s party.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Channel your energy into knowledge, education and updating your skills, and make your intentions crystal clear to anyone who interferes.—
Eugenia Last,
The Mercury News,
4 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Confidence and clarity in desire create chemistry that lingers long before clothes come off.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
20 Mar. 2025
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But now summer lingers like a house guest who won’t leave.—
Sherry Kuehl,
Kansas City Star,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pokes. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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