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
Davidson, a 6-foot-1 freshman, stroked a perfect shot from the right side to send the Trojans (18-13) into a second-round matchup with top seed South Carolina on Monday.
—
CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
One contestant in a Travis Kelce butt cut leaped over an ironing board; another held a tape measure to his crotch and stroked it.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
At the end of the table, Faris, an Iranian refugee who had ended up on drugs, stroked a glass of tea.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
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
CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
One contestant in a Travis Kelce butt cut leaped over an ironing board; another held a tape measure to his crotch and stroked it.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
At the end of the table, Faris, an Iranian refugee who had ended up on drugs, stroked a glass of tea.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
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
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
-
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
-
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
-
Jansen patted his catcher's mitt on Baumler's chest and the infielders offered their congratulations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
While most recipes dollop the biscuits on top, this dough is patted into a rough circle and scored into scone-like wedges.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Miles praised the defensive effort of South Carolina.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
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The shoe was a hit, praised equally for its design as its comfort, and is currently available in 19 different colorways and materials, including pink or leopard ponyhair, white leather, and tan suede.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the remainder of her remarks, Takaichi congratulated the United States on its 250th anniversary and said Japan will gift Washington, DC, an additional 250 cherry trees.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Everyone congratulated her, from security guards to Uber drivers to waitresses.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jackson should be commended for taking a thoughtful step to strengthen consumer trust and the future of recycling innovation.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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Beatriz Andre, acting regional attorney for the EEOC’s Los Angeles District Office, commended Justin and Wonderful for reaching the settlement.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Lutz has applauded Miller’s hiring; the coaches plan to have lunch this week.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
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Schumacher applauded the work Pederson has been putting in, saying the results haven’t matched the effort, but the Rangers will need that to change in the regular season.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Bake on the middle rack of the heated oven until the top is puffed and lightly golden and a knife inserted into the center comes out clear, 25 to 30 minutes.—
Georgeanne Brennan,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
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In the final days of their season, Tigers players both slammed bats and puffed victory cigars.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stroked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroked. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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