POKING Synonyms: 219 Similar and Opposite Words

poking 1 of 2

adjective

as in leisurely

moving or proceeding at less than the normal, desirable, or required speed the poking pace of the repair work has put everything way behind schedule

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

poking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of poke

as in protruding

to extend outward beyond a usual point saw his head poking through the window

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as in messing

to interest oneself in what is not one's concern told him to stop poking into other people's business

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as in lingering

to move or act slowly just poked around all morning and didn't accomplish much

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as in dragging

to move slowly they were just poking along home

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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 poking

Verb

One of the most iconic fall looks is a pair of tall boots with a knit sock poking over the top. — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026 Even Watford’s mascot got involved, standing behind one of the goalposts ahead of the game and poking its head out with a binocular gesture. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026 Traditionally, there’s this rendering of hell as a dark cave with fire, and there’s the devil with a pitchfork poking everybody with it. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026 With the help of Nollet, Anderson’s hair was blown and teased away from her forehead, with tinges of pink poking through. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026 Polymarket dropped him like a hot potato, though, once the CFTC began poking into his suspicious Kalshi bets. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 2 Sep. 2026 Seething at his dad for poking at his body insecurities, the comedian dealt with his emotions like any good millennial — by podcasting about it. — Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Still, Langley didn’t take Doja’s remarks to heart, even poking fun in a recent social media post. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Aug. 2026 Most of what’s actionable comes from the signal that might be poking through. — Ben Gretch, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for poking

Adjective

To experience the Filipino tradition of long, leisurely communal dinners, reserve Perso’s signature Chef’s Table.

— Michelle Polizzi, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2026
Prevailing xenophobic notions of the time would have insisted on Bridget’s culpability, particularly when Irish women were seen as more likely to be able to swing an ax than leisurely ladies like Lizzie.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of leisurely

Verb

As has the part where Reacher uses his left paw with two nails protruding from the palm as a makeshift Wolverine/Freddy Krueger stabbin’ hand.

— Chris Klimek, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
For the hunters, a massive grey orb with a ramp protruding from it is one clue.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of protruding

Verb

But now there’s the lingering unknown amid a fight that can feel endless.

— Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
The film’s cast is mostly made up of tribal non-actors, but Anghlong Konyak is its captivating center, as a man whose stubbornness against change sits alongside a lingering grief over his fading way of life.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of lingering

Verb

Ted, naturally, advises everyone to stay positive, but the outlook isn’t great, and it’s not helped by the team doctor dragging his feet about seeing the Greyhounds star, which Keeley immediately clocks as sexism.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
This movement of the fabric can shorten a hemline and secure a train so someone can easily move about without tripping or having extra fabric dragging on the ground.

— Shelby Wax, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of dragging

Adjective

The slowest can count roughly 500 bills a minute, or about eight bills a second, while the fastest can count 2,000-plus bills a minute, or about 33-plus bills a second.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
Heading south on Highway 395, a must do is slow down and take the June Lake Loop which is a riot of fall colors.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of slow

Verb

By preventing excess slack and eliminating interfering contours, the PBU minimizes collision risks across complex movement paths.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026
Under the law, federal officers are prohibited from interfering in elections.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of interfering

Verb

Shopping is also often easier to do manually, largely because of restrictions that prevent bots from crawling websites.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026
While Macbeth is constantly crawling out of his skin, Kelsey sings the role with a relaxed confidence that is a pleasure to listen to, if dramatically disorienting.

— Justin Davidson, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026