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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Myricks then applied it on the back of her hand and evenly massaged the product around the face, focusing on areas with texture or larger pores.—
Essence Wiley,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
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The other two guys, who are wearing undies when not getting massaged, are giving the lightest and most cursory of touches to either the shoulders or the calves.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
His dad patted Joe’s shoulder again.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
After a short conversation, the two patted each other on the head a couple of times and separated, each heading toward his respective locker room.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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However, the priest has been praised by progressives for his academic achievements and his efforts to assist the poor.—
Manuel Rueda,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
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But fans have widely praised Parker's vision and adherence to the source material.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In the comments, a few congratulated the lovebirds — sort of.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Malinin congratulated his Kazakhstani competitor after the event concluded.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Catholic leaders commended anyone who continues to work for peace and justice, including those who peacefully assemble, and are caring for their immigrant neighbors.—
Anissa Rivera,
Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Shapiro commended the strength of the new study.—
Jenna Anderson,
Health,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Roberts applauded the growing social justice movement coming out of the files release and called for a criminal investigation of Mountbatten-Windsor.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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Video shows most lawmakers in the room applauded the line.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Loosely cover using plastic wrap, and let stand in a warm place (75°F) until puffed and nearly doubled in size, 45 to 60 minutes.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
3 Feb. 2026
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Accentuating her features with her signature brown smoky eyeshadow, matte mauve lipstick, and a pink flush on her cheekbones, Kylie puffed on a cigarette and gazed into the camera’s lens as the shot faded to black.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stroked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroked. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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