1
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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2
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
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Recent Examples of stroked
Davidson, a 6-foot-1 freshman, stroked a perfect shot from the right side to send the Trojans (18-13) into a second-round matchup with top seed South Carolina on Monday.
—
CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
One contestant in a Travis Kelce butt cut leaped over an ironing board; another held a tape measure to his crotch and stroked it.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
At the end of the table, Faris, an Iranian refugee who had ended up on drugs, stroked a glass of tea.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Influenced by her Indian heritage, Japanese craft philosophy, and the traditions of Shetland knitting, her work is highly distinctive and also wholly wearable; David and I stroked scarves, asymmetric wraps, and sweaters with yearning.
—Sarah Moss, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
Trump’s allies have always stroked his ego to get their way.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025
The video showed the fragile puppy wrapped in a yellow towel as Novak gently stroked her head.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
Their surfaces demand to be stroked so that fingertips register the contrast between rough concrete and polished terrazzo.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 3 Nov. 2025
The scrawny stray Marlon Brando stroked in The Godfather was found on the Paramount lot the morning of the shoot.
—Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
One contestant in a Travis Kelce butt cut leaped over an ironing board; another held a tape measure to his crotch and stroked it.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
At the end of the table, Faris, an Iranian refugee who had ended up on drugs, stroked a glass of tea.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Influenced by her Indian heritage, Japanese craft philosophy, and the traditions of Shetland knitting, her work is highly distinctive and also wholly wearable; David and I stroked scarves, asymmetric wraps, and sweaters with yearning.
—Sarah Moss, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
Trump’s allies have always stroked his ego to get their way.
—Chris Brennan, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025
The video showed the fragile puppy wrapped in a yellow towel as Novak gently stroked her head.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
Their surfaces demand to be stroked so that fingertips register the contrast between rough concrete and polished terrazzo.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 3 Nov. 2025
The scrawny stray Marlon Brando stroked in The Godfather was found on the Paramount lot the morning of the shoot.
—Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroked
Verb
-
In a video shared by the Broncos from the unveiling, Smith is seen carefully caressed the statue of her son's face just after the curtain drops.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
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In one photo, the couple posed on the beach while Wyatt caressed her growing baby bump.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
If previous records massaged her hedonism into silky, professional-grade pop, the sound on WOR$T GIRL is all sinew and scrap metal, a leaner and meaner vehicle for acting out.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The main specific risk is the potential for nodules or granulomas (small bumps) forming under the skin, especially if improperly placed or massaged.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wembanyama tumbled to the court and remained down for a minute while George patted him on the backside apologetically.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
In the clip, Liu took a good look at the figures, adjusted their clothing and even patted one on the backside.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For White Ribbon Day in 2024, Bournemouth were praised for their video campaign, which showed the journeys of a man and a woman home from the Vitality Stadium after dark.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
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Hall praised the department’s efforts this year under the leadership of Wayne Jones, who became the city’s first Black police chief in 2023.—
Aaron Leibowitz,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Three current council members, including Hillary Shields, congratulated Lopez in brief remarks at his party.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni congratulated the police late Saturday for the arrest.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Fire Chief Bob Grabowski commended DeJong’s contributions to the department in the village’s news release.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Alex Souponetsky, general manager of Fly Legacy Aviation, commended Aytch’s handling of the emergency.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Some environmental advocates applauded the move as a step in the right direction.—
Erika Edwards,
NBC news,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Antiplastic advocates applauded Thursday’s announcement.—
Susanne Rust
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Details like a delicate bow front, softly puffed sleeves, and intricate broderie make this one an instant add-to-cart.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2026
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Bake on the middle rack of the heated oven until the top is puffed and lightly golden and a knife inserted into the center comes out clear, 25 to 30 minutes.—
Georgeanne Brennan,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stroked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroked. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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