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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in protruding
to extend outward beyond a usual point
saw his head poking through the window
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in messing
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 crawling
to move or act slowly
just poked around all morning and didn't accomplish much
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in dragging
to move slowly
they were just poking along home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of poking
Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025
The underground pop of the 2010s used to get so excited about being online, using shrinky-dink artifice to delight in poking fun at a culture that could feel shallow and strange but also organic and endlessly renewable.
—Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2025
Schumer later condemned the president for poking fun at federal turmoil.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 30 Sep. 2025
Marc Maron and Zach Woods both released clips online poking fun at the Riyadh Comedy Festival and the performers who are participating.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Wandering among the half naked nymphs and leering wolves and buff mermen poking their lovely wet heads out of glassy forest pools, their eyes dark with wanting to drag her down to oblivion.
—Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
While some are panicking about the potential event, others are poking fun at the prediction.
—Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Johnny Carson famously kept his politics to himself, while poking fun at whoever happened to be in the White House.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 17 Sep. 2025
Keep communication open by avoiding poking fun at these practices.
—Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
The first meetup drew dozens of participants poking at pudding cups together.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025
The underground pop of the 2010s used to get so excited about being online, using shrinky-dink artifice to delight in poking fun at a culture that could feel shallow and strange but also organic and endlessly renewable.
—Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2025
Schumer later condemned the president for poking fun at federal turmoil.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 30 Sep. 2025
Marc Maron and Zach Woods both released clips online poking fun at the Riyadh Comedy Festival and the performers who are participating.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Wandering among the half naked nymphs and leering wolves and buff mermen poking their lovely wet heads out of glassy forest pools, their eyes dark with wanting to drag her down to oblivion.
—Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
While some are panicking about the potential event, others are poking fun at the prediction.
—Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Johnny Carson famously kept his politics to himself, while poking fun at whoever happened to be in the White House.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 17 Sep. 2025
Keep communication open by avoiding poking fun at these practices.
—Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poking
Adjective
-
For an extra touch of exclusivity, guests can book private outings on the resort’s 34-foot Hinckley Picnic Boat — ideal for sunset cruises or a leisurely day on the water.—
Angela Caraway-Carlton,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
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From here, enjoy a leisurely drive along iconic Skyline Drive, which winds 101 miles along the park’s ridgeline.—
Erin Gifford,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Deputy Thomas Zajac, first on the scene, found Heskett kneeling in the grass near the park’s Old Mill Trail, grasping a pocketknife protruding from his abdomen.—
Andi Babineau,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
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Keta’s long layers fell on the sides of her face, while the back was noticeably teased and twisted with spiky pieces protruding out.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The last two seasons have proven that the team starts off slow, which ends up messing their chances of making the playoffs.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And there's these little worms crawling around.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
8 Oct. 2025
-
This cute crawling crab toy is 44% off and is the perfect toy for encouraging movement and exploration.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The move ended with Gravenberch dragging the Galatasaray forward down outside the box and receiving a yellow card.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Last week in Chicago, federal agents descended in a Blackhawk to clear out an entire apt complex, dragging children out of their beds and zip-tying residents for hours without articulating any probable cause.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The episodes feel choppy, hardly letting anything land, yet still feeling slow.—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The crowd, quietening into a slow clap with the moment building, burst into a celebration.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Kremlin has repeatedly denied interfering in foreign elections.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Particle has also accused Epic of defaming the company and interfering in its business relations.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The federal government shut down Wednesday, delaying pay for federal workers (of whom there are 25,000 in Indiana), placing question marks on the financial health of federal aid programs like SNAP and WIC, and causing mass confusion and limbo in immigration court.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
3 Oct. 2025
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Staffing challenges – either at the local level, at the federal level or both – also could play a significant role in delaying interactions between the CDC and local health departments.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poking. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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