STROKED Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

stroked

verb

past tense of stroke

as in caressed

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

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as in massaged

to praise too much a politician with a special gift for stroking fat-cat donors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 stroked But Kim stroked a walk-off single into left field in the ninth inning off Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott to give the Atlanta Braves a 6-5 victory over the Dodgers on Wednesday night. — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2026 Afterwards, as Cheogyal puts it, the spiritual leader stroked his head with compassion. — CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026 But Argentina’s talisman stroked it wide of the net. — David Hickey, NBC news, 23 June 2026 Mihyia Davis stroked the next pitch off Slimp’s glove in left for a double and Williams moved to third. — Tim Willert, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026 After a popout to second by first baseman Jordan Woolery, shortstop Aleena Garcia stroked an RBI single to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead. — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026 Freddie Freeman stroked a two-out RBI single up the middle in the fifth inning to put the Dodgers ahead 3-0. — CBS News, 3 May 2026 Last weekend, after Petteys stroked three doubles in a victory over Creighton, the Bluejays showed her the ultimate respect, walking her four times, three intentionally, during the remainder of the series at Burrill Family Field, UConn taking two of three. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026 In her first varsity at-bat the next day against Lincoln-Way Central, Krauchun stroked a single up the middle. — Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroked

Verb

Breasts are caressed and thighs crisscross; kisses are planted, and occasionally there’s a glimpse of something more graphic.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Kikuko cried out as her father’s hand slowly caressed her chest.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of caressed

Verb

The 24-time Grand Slam champion appeared to suffer a cramp in his left foot, threw up, and took a medical time-out to have his back massaged between the fourth and fifth sets before losing to Argentine player Mariano Navone.

— Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
Top Plays from Bears @ Titans To be clear, the first version will likely be revised and massaged before the Bears arrive at their first meaningful practice of Week 1.

— Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of massaged

Verb

Edwards stood silently -- remaining in the well until Johnson left the rostrum, approached Edwards from behind and patted him on the back -- leading him up the aisle to the back of the chamber.

— John Parkinson, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Merrill helped Tatis to his feet and patted him on the chest.

— CBS News, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of patted

Verb

Pembroke Pines Police Chief Jose Vargas on Wednesday made the decision to shut down all license-plate cameras in the city, a decision urged by Mayor Angelo Castillo and praised by commissioners during their regular meeting Thursday night.

— Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
Speaking outside the court Friday, defense attorney Kevin Reddington praised Clancy for enduring in such a difficult situation.

— Carmel Wroth, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of praised

Verb

The leaders of right-wing populist parties in Spain and Portugal also congratulated AfD, German news agency dpa reported.

— Kirsten Grieshaber, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Sep. 2026
Several of Crowder’s Tell Me Lies costars congratulated her in the comment section.

— Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of congratulated

Verb

The music department, as well as Courcol’s lively directing and writing, must be commended for scenes of the brass ensemble playing and rehearsing, in a constantly dynamic interaction with dialogue.

— Caspar Salmon, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Lyne commended the Chicago actor specifically for a scene partway into the movie, when Lane’s Connie is deep into her affair but Gere’s Edward only has vague suspicions.

— Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of commended

Verb

The playcalling duties have been assumed by offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, a move that Tepper applauded.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026
During one rehearsal scene between them — a master-class, no other word for it — the Telluride crowd applauded in the middle of the movie.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of applauded

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stroke

stroked

stroked (out)

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“Stroked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroked. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of stroked

verb

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