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

Mafe got blocked behind Mayfield, but broke free as Mayfield patted the ball, looking for somebody open downfield.

— Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of patted

Verb

Board members praised staff for continuing to balance the budget in light of ongoing problems with property tax distributions, which have created budget holes for some school districts.

— Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Santiago’s Manhattan victim, Sarah Clark, spoke at the press conference following the sentencing and praised the new DNA technology that linked her attacker to the crime.

— Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of praised

Verb

The veteran coach congratulated his team for the win and quickly pivoted to yelling about mental mistakes that kept Houston County in the game.

— Jack Leo, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Fineman, 38, congratulated the newest SNL cast members in her own Instagram post after the big reveal.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of congratulated

Verb

But several people who spoke during the board meeting commended students who took part in the walkout and asked they not be punished for their advocacy.

— Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Marcarelli commended his firefighters for their response to the tragic incident.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of commended

Verb

Bake until the focaccia is set and slightly puffed and registers an internal temperature of 190°F, 18 to 22 minutes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
Give the cookies plenty of room on the baking sheet, and pull them while the centers are still puffed and soft.

— Rick Martinez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of puffed

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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 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of stroked

verb

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