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
-
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 sturdy grooved leaves seem tough at first but, like your back after a trip to the chiropractor, relax and open up once they’re heartily massaged.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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Or opt for the Oil Ceremony, where layers of delicately scented oils are massaged into the skin in a soothing ritual.—
Caitlin Gunther,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Walking onto the rostrum to deliver his eighth and final State of the State address, Governor Ron DeSantis patted Senate President Ben Albritton on the back and shook his hand.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
18 Jan. 2026
-
After the Bears' improbable comeback in the regular season, the handshake lasted a tad longer, as both coaches patted each other on the arm before going their separate ways.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And in a return of goodwill, Gun Owners of America praised him for withholding judgment on the facts of the case.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
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Aliso Niguel coach Keith Barnett praised the effort of his freshman point guard, Iribarne.—
Martin Henderson,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Backstage, Finn Balor congratulated Punk and thanked him for giving him his flowers last week.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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The idea that Henie actually had a romantic relationship with Hitler is widely disputed; the ice princess and the dictator did, however, reportedly go to lunch after Hitler congratulated her rinkside on winning her third Olympic title.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Tuason and company deserve to be commended for telling a narrative film on such a small scale, but the finished product fails to deliver a conclusion that’s scary enough to justify its lethargic, slow-burn format.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
25 Jan. 2026
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There are, however, other that have taken his side and commended him for speaking out.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In a statement, Gandini applauded Nielsen’s e-commerce marketplace business and expressed confidence in his potential to propel the company into a new phase.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
21 Jan. 2026
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Timashev also applauded updates to Biohaven’s degrader program, which provide evidence of the platform’s potential to help treat Graves’ disease and kidney diseases such as IgA nephropathy.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the biscuits are puffed and the bottoms are golden brown.—
Hailee Catalano,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Bake in preheated oven until puffed and set, about 30 minutes.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stroked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroked. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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