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 lingering
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
Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Social media users have also been poking fun at how popular the jackets are among the Asian diaspora.
—Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Start by checking the soil’s moisture by poking a finger 2 inches into the top of the soil.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
On last night’s episode, Colbert is clearly poking the bear that fired him.
—Peter White, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
The Telltale Signs of Rotary Motion The re-examination revealed unmistakable evidence that this was no simple awl meant for poking holes.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Garlic is a kitchen staple for many, but spotting a green sprout poking out of a clove can raise questions about food safety.
—Caitlin Beale, Health, 11 Feb. 2026
In a city willing to displace a community garden or a newsstand to claw back a few extra feet, the Armory’s yawning, epochal emptiness seems like poking through your medicine cabinet and finding an alternate universe behind it.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 Feb. 2026
The spot humorously centered on onboarding an alien monster, poking fun at HR challenges, and the promise of AI automation.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
Prince Edward and the former Prince Andrew smiled for the camera while poking their heads through the stone barriers on the grounds outside Buckingham Palace.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Social media users have also been poking fun at how popular the jackets are among the Asian diaspora.
—Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Start by checking the soil’s moisture by poking a finger 2 inches into the top of the soil.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026
On last night’s episode, Colbert is clearly poking the bear that fired him.
—Peter White, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
The Telltale Signs of Rotary Motion The re-examination revealed unmistakable evidence that this was no simple awl meant for poking holes.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Garlic is a kitchen staple for many, but spotting a green sprout poking out of a clove can raise questions about food safety.
—Caitlin Beale, Health, 11 Feb. 2026
In a city willing to displace a community garden or a newsstand to claw back a few extra feet, the Armory’s yawning, epochal emptiness seems like poking through your medicine cabinet and finding an alternate universe behind it.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 Feb. 2026
The spot humorously centered on onboarding an alien monster, poking fun at HR challenges, and the promise of AI automation.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poking
Adjective
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In the heart of it all, the open-air Art Park is a destination in itself, ideal for leisurely walks, bike rides, or a picnic lunch on the grass.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
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Keep your eyes out for destinations that allow for leisurely boat or lounge days, unique culinary possibilities, art and design experiences, wellness programming, and nature—without a party-first atmosphere, Del Duca recommends.—
Karla Walsh,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That combination of features — translucent body, segmented frame, protruding teeth, up to 11 claws and enlarged thoracic spines — made the organism distinct enough to warrant an entirely new genus.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
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Around the side, the former casino facade is now the front of Joe Leaphorn’s workplace, the Kayenta tribal police station, complete with protruding wood beams.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Other concerns presented by the group were about animals coming through and messing with the trash cans.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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Now Rob is messing with another one of Candiace’s friends, and Candiace is ready to blow up the whole turret over it.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Weir was right, but those tours — whether billed as the Other Ones or the Dead — were a blend of old camaraderie and lingering friction between the members.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Forecasters say this pattern reflects lingering La Niña influences in the Pacific and the gradual transition toward spring.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Negotiators are showing few signs of backing down from their demands, and there’s little holding back talks from dragging on for the foreseeable future.—
Al Weaver,
The Hill,
17 Feb. 2026
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Eliza was eventually turned over to a bounty hunter, who, along with her original enslaver, went to Chicago and captured her, apparently dragging her down Adams Street, Krupa said.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But that boost also didn’t last long – 2025 was marked mostly by Russia’s slow, grinding offensive along the 1,200-kilometer-long frontline.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Implementing peace deals is notoriously difficult, so slow progress can be expected.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In a statement early Thursday evening, the mayor’s office denied interfering in the search process, saying Johnson has not been presented with any candidates so far.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
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Hong Kong officials have defended the independence of the local judicial system, which is separate from that of mainland China, and accused foreign governments of interfering in internal affairs.—
Jennifer Jett,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At 5 feet 6 inches tall, the then-20-year-old Angeleno was considered short for industry standards, but that didn't stop her from edging out frontrunners Yaya DaCosta and Amanda Swafford at the finale in Japan — or from taking bold risks, like posing with a tarantula crawling across her face.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Feb. 2026
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Another initiative involves designing specialized robots (not humanoid) capable of crawling through mud and water to clear underground tunnels.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Poking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poking. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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