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
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Recent Examples of stroked
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
Ohtani stroked a triple into the right field corner in his first at-bat Thursday and scored on Mookie Betts’ double.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
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
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
Ohtani stroked a triple into the right field corner in his first at-bat Thursday and scored on Mookie Betts’ double.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroked
Verb
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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
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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
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Korean scalp treatments often come in lightweight, fast-absorbing liquids, essences, or refreshing tonics designed to be massaged directly into the scalp without leaving hair greasy or weighed down.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sullivan patted Hafley on the arm.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Feb. 2026
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His dad patted Joe’s shoulder again.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Mandel, who sells media rights to many of the biggest tennis tournaments in the world, praised the company for focusing on storytelling and turning the streaming service into the home for tennis.—
Lucas Shaw,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
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Deb Banks, executive director of Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates also praised the move, saying that a complete closure during the pilot would be better than having streets closed to traffic only on certain days.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom, D-Tracy, who is the chair of the Assembly Emergency Management Committee congratulated Thomas Jacobs in a Tuesday statement.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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Fraternity members congratulated each winner and posed for group photos with their full carts.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Detective Macy Sanchez and Officer Justine Chevalier were commended for saving a man from drowning in a pool by both jumping in to rescue him, and starting CPR.—
Terri Daxon,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
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Jones also commended the younger Guthrie for her strength.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The audience whooped and applauded.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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In the front row, Paul McCartney — former Beatle, eternal rock star, proud father — applauded.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Top-wise, besides corsetry, retailers will no doubt zero in on silhouettes that float and drape on the body, with Isabella-esque puffed sleeves or Cathy-leaning off-the-shoulder necklines.—
Alice Cary,
Vogue,
24 Feb. 2026
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Bake cookies, rotating baking sheets top to bottom and front to back halfway through, until slightly puffed and cracked, 11–15 minutes.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stroked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroked. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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