as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
all it took was one hard stroke to knock the ball out of the tree
Synonyms & Similar Words
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1
as in to caress
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
the young mother gently stroked the sleeping child's brow and then leaned over and kissed him
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to massage
to praise too much
a politician with a special gift for stroking fat-cat donors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stroke
Ashley Vega, People.com, 27 June 2025
Know the red flags: Understand the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2025
Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2025
More often than not, viewers see these people stroking them, hitching rides on their fins, or free diving within inches of their faces.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Noun
She had been trained to recognize red flags for emergencies and was deeply concerned about the possibility of a stroke.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 27 June 2025
Know the red flags: Understand the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2025
Verb
But one pitch in the bottom of the 10th inning put an end to it when Ian Happ stroked a walk-off RBI single that gave the Chicago Cubs an 11-10 victory over the Dodgers on Tuesday night.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2025
More often than not, viewers see these people stroking them, hitching rides on their fins, or free diving within inches of their faces.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroke
Noun
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In another blow to China’s push to become a regional leader, India on Thursday rejected signing a joint statement facilitated by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization—one such grouping set up by China and Russia to counter U.S. influence.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
27 June 2025
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The Senate parliamentarian has advised that a Medicaid provider tax overhaul central to President Donald Trump’s tax cut and spending bill does not adhere to the chamber’s procedural rules, delivering a crucial blow as Republicans rush to finish the package this week.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
27 June 2025
Verb
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There’s a shot of Michele caressing her face, and another of Christopher fingering his wedding ring.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
28 May 2025
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But Gallardo clandestinely documented her experience there; in the exhibition, a short, lo-fi video shows her hands slowly caressing those of Estela, an ailing senior citizen and former street worker who lived at Casa Xochiquetzal.—
Fabiola Iza,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Dave drops F-bombs liberally, but is the kind of person who flashes a big smile to massage a situation.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2025
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Creams should be massaged along part lines using about one to two teaspoons for full scalp coverage.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Noun
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Thune ultimately abandoned plans to have an open amendment process to block the most controversial amendments, chief among them a credit card swipe fees bill sponsored by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS).—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
17 June 2025
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June 16, 2025 07:40 PM EDT Trump takes another swipe at Tucker Carlson President Donald Trump has taken another swipe at his former ally Tucker Carlson.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 June 2025
Verb
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Washington isn't patting itself on the back following a deep postseason run.—
Geoffrey Knox,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
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Test Kitchen Tip: When preparing meats sous vide, for optimal browning and texture, pat the sous vide protein dry with paper towels.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 June 2025
Verb
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In contrast, eating refined grains like white bread, puffed rice, or white rice might increase inflammation and make your joints hurt more.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
22 June 2025
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For every buttery, puffed cookie encrusted with funfetti rainbow sprinkles, the co-op will donate $1 to the Sacramento LGBT Community Center. Pride Punch at Masa Masa in Roseville Roseville taco shop Masa Masa, located at 2310 Pleasant Grove Blvd., is offering a Pride Punch ($5) through June.—
Kat Tran,
Sacbee.com,
20 June 2025
Noun
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As its infectious message, hip hop hook, gentle-against-forceful thump, radiates further into the zeitgeist expect it be heard everywhere.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
15 June 2025
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The only noise was the low thump from a boombox in front of a boba shop.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
Verb
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Fellow actors congratulated the couple in the comments section.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
23 June 2025
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Vice President Vance, a veteran and frequent skeptic of foreign intervention, congratulated the troops and others involved in the strike on Sunday morning.—
Colin Meyn,
The Hill,
22 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroke. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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