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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of pokes
Essence, 24 Sep. 2025
The rooftop pool and open-late bars draw a youngish crowd—lots of millennials with stick-and-pokes—of couples and friends, and absolutely zero kids (though the property is dog- and cat- friendly).
—Emily Wilson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
The non-extinction of Zaglossus attenboroughi, in the Cyclops Mountains, first suspected in 2007 on evidence of nose pokes, was confirmed.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025
Later in the episode, Kelce's cohost and brother, Jason Kelce, pokes fun at Lively's athleticism in a storyline that sees Bridget attend a soccer camp.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
The trailer for Season 6 of Solar Opposites, released today, pokes fun of the show’s imminent end.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
Impressionistic lyrics would fit this stuff, but Le Bon pokes the spacious haze with direct evocations of love and heartbreak.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
The track pokes fun at consumerism and a materialistic society constantly seeking the next best thing, a theme that remains relevant nearly 45 years later.
—Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2025
The clip shows a shower knob slowly being unscrewed from the wall before a tiny black, furry hand pokes through.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
The brand’s giant green owl mascot dances badly, makes obscure pop culture references and pokes fun at the company’s push notifications.
—Leeron Walter, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Like his contemporaries, Meyers often pokes fun at the ongoing actions of the president and his administration on Late Night.
—Emlyn Travis Updated, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
There weren’t any needles, pokes, or prods involved, just a simple applicator patch that stuck to the side of my stomach to help the machine navigate where to output the energy.
—Essence, 24 Sep. 2025
The rooftop pool and open-late bars draw a youngish crowd—lots of millennials with stick-and-pokes—of couples and friends, and absolutely zero kids (though the property is dog- and cat- friendly).
—Emily Wilson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
The non-extinction of Zaglossus attenboroughi, in the Cyclops Mountains, first suspected in 2007 on evidence of nose pokes, was confirmed.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
Who else pokes holes in this claim?
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025
Later in the episode, Kelce's cohost and brother, Jason Kelce, pokes fun at Lively's athleticism in a storyline that sees Bridget attend a soccer camp.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
The trailer for Season 6 of Solar Opposites, released today, pokes fun of the show’s imminent end.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
Impressionistic lyrics would fit this stuff, but Le Bon pokes the spacious haze with direct evocations of love and heartbreak.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
The track pokes fun at consumerism and a materialistic society constantly seeking the next best thing, a theme that remains relevant nearly 45 years later.
—Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2025
The clip shows a shower knob slowly being unscrewed from the wall before a tiny black, furry hand pokes through.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
The brand’s giant green owl mascot dances badly, makes obscure pop culture references and pokes fun at the company’s push notifications.
—Leeron Walter, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Like his contemporaries, Meyers often pokes fun at the ongoing actions of the president and his administration on Late Night.
—Emlyn Travis Updated, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pokes
Verb
-
Baleen is a specialized type of bone that protrudes from the jaws like teeth and is used to filter small critters from the ocean water to feed.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This Ministry frequently interferes in employers’ decisions, instigates acts of discrimination by authorities and organizations, brings weight to bear on the organs of justice and even orchestrates propaganda campaigns in the media.—
Jonny Diamond,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Bárbara, who can see the guests a few feet away, maintains a neutral expression on her face as Solène demands to be spoken to nicely, at which point Jess interferes and tells them to save it for later.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
When a storm crawls like this, rainfall piles up over the same towns for days.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Everything except Eidra, who asks him not to leave and crawls into his arms.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
However, the risk of adverse effects grows the longer a shutdown drags on.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
-
As the government shutdown drags on, Americans are turning more negative on Congress, according to new Gallup polling.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There are occasional reminders that the Mafia lingers.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The camera lingers for a few seconds on Miguel, in his new emotive state for the rest of his life, without Marta.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Meyers will continue being a name to watch as the deadline creeps closer.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The Japanese influence creeps in again with a matcha white chocolate chip cookie.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But that was before the arrival of teplizumab, a monoclonal antibody approved in late 2022 that delays the advance of the illness and may even halt it at stage 2 in some people.—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
-
That clogs the judicial system, wastes limited resources, and delays justice for those with legitimate grievances.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Gakpo is deeper, and Wirtz pushes forward as the central member of Liverpool’s forward line, while Ekitike shuffles across as the left of the trio.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Because global air travel shuffles millions of people around the world daily, an outbreak of a very contagious disease anywhere can become a threat everywhere.—
Amy E. Stambach,
The Conversation,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pokes. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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