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
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
The Tigers tied the game in the eighth when Spencer Torkelson stroked a two-run double off reliever Matt Brash, who wound up getting the win.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 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
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
The Tigers tied the game in the eighth when Spencer Torkelson stroked a two-run double off reliever Matt Brash, who wound up getting the win.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 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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Cornerback Darnay Holmes, suffering from a thigh cramp and desperate to return to the game in the final minutes, pulled down his uniform pants — exposing his backside — while a trainer vigorously massaged the area.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
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Some bridesmaids prayed, others massaged her head, while others burned Palo Santo and turned to natural remedies.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When tackle Jonah Laulu dropped an interception, Mahomes went over and patted him on the back.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
19 Oct. 2025
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On one occasion, backup goalkeeper Matt Turner, seated to Pulisic’s right, put his left arm around Pulisic and patted his back, consoling him.—
Paul Tenorio,
New York Times,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This novel was nominated for the Booker prize in 2021 and was praised for being genre-bending.—
Amber McBride,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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Chu praised Kerstein, likening the art of editing each musical number to a different puzzle.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The president even congratulated him following the June 3 opening of his restaurant The Detroit Cowboy in Nashville.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
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Several Love Is Blind and Perfect Match alums congratulated the couple in the comments section.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the waning days of the pandemic, appreciation and recognition came from Los Angeles city and county officials, who, according to posts on Farzam’s Instagram, commended Farzam for operating Covid testing centers and hailed him as a leader and role model.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
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At-large Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera commended Patterson for breaking barriers in conjunction with delivering results.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Participants at the panel applauded the program but said a few adjustments would give major studios more confidence in utilizing it.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Nov. 2025
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One reviewer applauded its multipurpose design and used it as a serving tray for hors d'oeuvres and to display their electric candles.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Elevated by a low heel, the shoes provided a frosty sparkling accent to a light pink dress featuring one puffed sheer long sleeve with ornate embellishment at the cuff.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
27 Oct. 2025
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Bake in preheated oven, 1 baking sheet at a time, until golden brown and puffed, about 20 minutes.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stroked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroked. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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