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 drags
to move or act slowly
just poked around all morning and didn't accomplish much
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
Shane Kowalski, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The Aries moon pokes holes in old insecurities about competence and productivity.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 28 Dec. 2025
At the end of the segment, Andrew Dismukes (playing Nick Lachey) pokes fun at the boy band by announcing an upcoming tour and essentially stating 98 Degrees could only book a venue in Cincinnati.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Dec. 2025
The neck of his daughter's guitar pokes out above chunks of concrete.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
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
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
Is every head that pokes in to look at me actually Frank himself?
—Shane Kowalski, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The Aries moon pokes holes in old insecurities about competence and productivity.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 28 Dec. 2025
At the end of the segment, Andrew Dismukes (playing Nick Lachey) pokes fun at the boy band by announcing an upcoming tour and essentially stating 98 Degrees could only book a venue in Cincinnati.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Dec. 2025
The neck of his daughter's guitar pokes out above chunks of concrete.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
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
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
-
If Washington overtly interferes in European elections or takes the dramatic step of annexing Greenland, the postwar alliance framework, already strained, could fracture.—
Ian Bremmer,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Iwobi’s movement drags Ladislav Krejci wider, increasing the space between the lines and creating a clear passing angle for Calvin Bassey.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
This not-quite-title song, which is nearly eight minutes long, is a sort of mini-suite, opening with a dog barking, giving way to an acoustic-guitar melody accompanying polyphonic vocals, then becoming electric and crashingly alive, until the relentless screech of a guitar drags you to the end.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
What to do if the -- if the original guy crawls out of his grave and wants his job back.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Oct. 2025
-
When a storm crawls, rainfall piles up over the same towns for days.—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a brain aneurysm is a weakened area in an artery that bulges outward and fills with blood.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Somebody does something terrible and messes it up.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Light snow lingers into the evening.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
-
But beverages that contain THC don’t hit like alcohol, instead causing a sensation that’s more like a slow exhale that lingers just long enough to make the room feel softer, the music warmer and your friends a little funnier.—
Timothy DePeugh,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
For Dimon, bureaucracy is a reflex that creeps into any large institution and shields leaders from reality.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Meyers will continue being a name to watch as the deadline creeps closer.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pokes. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share