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

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 Wear the fall wardrobe staple layered, like Brinkley did under a cardigan with the lace poking through, or style it on its own when the weather is a little warmer. — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 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 In the shade of a dense forest canopy, Odette Kouakou paces through her grove of cocoa trees, snapping off dead leaves and poking the ripe yellow pods hanging down from the branches with a stick. — Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for poking

Adjective

Before a night out filling your belly with local grub in the Old Port (which is a leisurely 20 minutes away on foot), hit the Five of Clubs bar for a seasonal drink like the cantaloupe- and lemon-laced Melancholia, along with half a dozen oysters.

— Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 7 Sep. 2026
In lower Manhattan and beyond — caught by paparazzi — he can be seen out and about in big sunglasses and tiny shorts, taking leisurely strolls with his fiancée, Zoë Kravitz.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of leisurely

Verb

For the hunters, a massive grey orb with a ramp protruding from it is one clue.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Tropical Hibiscus Tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), as the name suggests, is native to tropical climates in Asia and produces dramatic, vibrant flowers that can grow up to 6 inches in diameter with protruding stamens.

— Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of protruding

Verb

Still, there was a cloud of public doubt lingering over the event.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
For evening observers, this apparition has been more frustrating than triumphant, with Venus lingering low in the glow of twilight instead of climbing into a commanding position.

— Joe Rao, Space.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of lingering

Verb

The story went viral, Rust recalls, dragging local, state and, ultimately, federal officials into a Keystone Kops-like battle of wills.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
During the transformation the gases escape, dragging dust and ice particles off the surface with them.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2026