as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
all it took was one hard stroke to knock the ball out of the tree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to caress
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
2
as in to massage
to praise too much
a politician with a special gift for stroking fat-cat donors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to delete
to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it
if you make a mistake on the form, just stroke it out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of stroke
Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 31 May 2025
He had been diagnosed with dementia and suffered several small strokes starting in 2012, reports the New York Times’ Robert D. McFadden.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2025
Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2025
After stroking a century at Perth in November as India captured the first Test, the legendary batsman then succumbed to uncertainty and the relentless probing of Pat Cummins’ team, scoring only 104 more runs in the next seven innings.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Noun
Reginald VelJohnson pays tribute to 'Die Hard' costar Bruce Willis on 'Dancing With the Stars'
In very broad strokes, Nothing Lasts Forever, is Die Hard.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 31 May 2025
He had been diagnosed with dementia and suffered several small strokes starting in 2012, reports the New York Times’ Robert D. McFadden.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2025
Verb
Seetharama, who’s been practicing medicine for 30 years, said he’s been frustrated that treatments available to stroke patients up until now have only offered temporary improvements.
—Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2025
After stroking a century at Perth in November as India captured the first Test, the legendary batsman then succumbed to uncertainty and the relentless probing of Pat Cummins’ team, scoring only 104 more runs in the next seven innings.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroke
Noun
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Khan feared that delaying his departure beyond the deadline might have resulted in his wife and children being hauled off to a police station along with him, which would have been a blow to his family’s dignity.—
Elena Becatoros,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2025
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The strikes were also a major blow to Iran’s chain of command, killing the nation’s top generals.—
Martín González Gómez,
New York Times,
13 June 2025
Noun
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As artificial intelligence redefines human interactions, one question persists with scientific urgency and cultural weight: What happens to the brain's romantic blueprint when intimacy is filtered through screens, swipes and simulations?—
Ximena Araya-Fischel,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Even as more Americans tap, swipe or scan to pay, most still carry at least a little cash — and financial planners say that’s a good idea.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
The Cardinals have enough right-handed thump (especially with Herrera) to utilize Burleson at his strength.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
-
Literal flames surrounded the glow, both repelling and drawing you in more, followed by two loud, disorienting thumps.—
Christopher Rosa,
Glamour,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
The Royals scored 22 runs on 37 hits in the I-70 series against the St. Louis Cardinals.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2025
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Ellie McLaughlin and Jaimee Bolduc added two hits apiece.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
7 June 2025
Noun
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Some trepidation, some laughs, a slap, some vulnerability, a funeral, a revealing email, a lawsuit, an enormously successful comedy special, a roast, and so much more — as the three detail in the video recap, above.—
Gerrad Hall,
EW.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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Not finishing the story is a real slap in the face to all the loyal fans who did stick around.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
The punch of the stereotype derives from its resemblance to God’s honest truth.—
Caity Weaver,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2025
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How to Add Sardines and Anchovies to Your Diet Whether fresh or tinned, anchovies and sardines are both versatile fish that pack a punch of flavor.—
Helen Carefoot,
Verywell Health,
6 June 2025
Noun
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The Twins scored their first run of the day Matt Wallner’s third home run of the season and two more in the seventh on RBI knocks from Ty France and Brooks Lee.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
5 June 2025
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Connor Wong led off with a single and Campbell and Duran followed with back-to-back doubles, the latter an RBI knock.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Unlike other parts of the country where the intensity of war waxes and wanes, eastern Ukraine has known no respite from the thud of artillery, the roar of missiles, and the hum of drones.—
Dominique Soguel,
Christian Science Monitor,
14 May 2025
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The Orioles organization has collapsed with a deadening thud.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroke. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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