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
Toronto first got to Junk in the third inning as Nathan Lukes stroked a leadoff double, advanced on Ernie Clement’s flyout and came home on Springer’s RBI single.
—
Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2025
On the pitch, Rory Delap had one hand on his hip while the other stroked his chin.
—Max Mathews, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Gradually, as the pet becomes more comfortable, gentle touches are fine, but only where the cat enjoys being stroked.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2025
On the pitch, Rory Delap had one hand on his hip while the other stroked his chin.
—Max Mathews, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Gradually, as the pet becomes more comfortable, gentle touches are fine, but only where the cat enjoys being stroked.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroked
Verb
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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
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In photos the pop superstar shared, Kelce could be seen down on one knee as Swift caressed his face during the intimate moment.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In order to get the best results, apply a small amount to clean, dry skin in the evening, gently massaged in until it’s fully absorbed.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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This whole thing seems staged, planned, finagled, massaged, bamboozled, lollygagged, and all sorts of other long, silly-sounding words that may not necessarily apply to this situation.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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With her eyes closed, Val calmly patted her feline.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
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Deputies then patted him down and found a handgun and extra magazine in his pants, officials said.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Nadler, the long-serving congressman, praised his former aide and state assemblyman Micah Lasher but stopped short of supporting him.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Many internet users have praised Morrison and her team for saving Maple's life and those of her puppies too.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When the Niners clinched their spot in the coveted game, Brandt congratulated Purdy on the field.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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At the end of August, the All The Queen’s Men actress congratulated her man on his new law office in a warm and lengthy post on Instagram.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In a statement posted online, Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller commended the department for exercising restraint while responding to the incident.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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Henneberry commended both the Haberman family and the community for finding a bright light and taking something that is terrible and making something that is beautiful.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Reactions From Local Lawmakers While some lawmakers applauded the change, there were still criticisms.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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On Chinese social media, users applauded the impressive hardware and discipline of the PLA – and drew comparisons to Trump’s military parade held in Washington in June.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Like so many institutions before it, the museum could have ignored the students, or puffed up some sort of defense.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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He was inspired by folkloric characters from history, like the Slavic Baba Yaga and the Italian Befana, as well as Victorian lady silhouettes, 17th century panniers, puffed sleeves, and harem pants.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stroked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroked. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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