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

The one-piece suit is designed with a twist-front V-neckline that enhances the bust with a structured lift — but without the discomfort of a poking underwire. —

Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026 The mountains poking above the ridge at the far end of the lake are crowned by the three peaks of Mount Triglav — Slovenia’s highest peak and national symbol. —

Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 8 Apr. 2026 Upon the umpteenth retelling, Jules (Jeff Wilbusch)—who witnessed the gory death of Rachel’s mother (Victoria Pedretti) as a little boy and therefore wholeheartedly believes in the curse—begins poking holes in the story. —

Sam Reed, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2026 While the 1930s and 1940s did see some instances of carnival poking fun at the tyranny of the Nazi regime (none of which, it should be noted, went unpunished), Birdsall and other scholars maintain that the festival was, first and foremost, an avenue for propaganda. —

Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2026 And time is running out before teams begin poking and prodding at the puzzle, trying to find ways to break it apart. —

Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026 The comedian and actress, 43, laid into FBI Director Kash Patel during the Monday, March 30 broadcast, poking fun at reports that his personal emails were hacked. —

Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026 As the train pulled into the precincts of Guilin, Martha and Joost gazed out the window at a series of pointy green hills poking up out of bright-orange soil. —

Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026 But rather than big Hawaiian swells, these waves were the crashing sounds of social media users poking fun at the look of the upcoming Disney film. —

Angelique Jackson, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for poking

Adjective

The Lounge remains a favorite for leisurely breakfasts and afternoon tea.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026
If all goes according to plan, its protective heat shield and a sequence of massive parachutes will ensure that the capsule—and the four astronauts inside—will land with a gentle splash in the Pacific Ocean at a leisurely 17 miles per hour.

— Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 9 Apr. 2026