as in swipes
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 caresses
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 massages
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 strokes
Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 18 June 2026
The coronavirus vaccine reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events linked to covid-19 — strokes, heart attacks, and hospitalization from heart disease — by about 40 percent, according to a new study.
—Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 16 June 2026
There, Coley falls for the magnetic but emotionally unavailable Sonya (Myra Molloy), and the broad strokes of the girls’ story, along with many of the original video’s most recognizable images, will be familiar to Kiyoko’s longtime fans.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 16 June 2026
Regardless, Tyrrell has gained strokes ball-striking (driving and on approach) in the last four majors.
—Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
The stress can trigger heart attacks or strokes.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 15 June 2026
For best results, apply with a damp beauty sponge using a stippling motion rather than sweeping strokes, which can disturb coverage and leave streaks.
—Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 13 June 2026
Studies have shown that these medications can reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, obstructive sleep apnea and now possibly cancer.
—Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
A lot of people are having Covid strokes now.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 13 June 2026
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2026
For an artisanal twist, look no further than Ezcaray Matisse throw that looks as if Georgia O’Keeffe applied the paint brush strokes herself.
—Kristine Hansen, Architectural Digest, 8 Jan. 2026
Research shows the risk of stroke also rises this time of year, and strokes present differently than heart attacks.
—Allison Aubrey, NPR, 17 Dec. 2025
In the video, the cat eventually curls up in a ball and continues purring as Li strokes her head.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Henry brushes it off as a nightmare; after Bug moves on, Beauchamp strokes the medallion and sings himself to sleep.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 22 Aug. 2025
In the town’s maternity ward, the only functioning facility of its kind for miles, Taisiya strokes Assol, her daughter born Sunday into a world where suddenly the risks of being in Sloviansk have multiplied.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
According to the documentary, Parker had previously lied to friends about MS and cancer diagnoses, having a brain tumor and strokes, all documented on social media.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 18 June 2026
The coronavirus vaccine reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events linked to covid-19 — strokes, heart attacks, and hospitalization from heart disease — by about 40 percent, according to a new study.
—Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 16 June 2026
There, Coley falls for the magnetic but emotionally unavailable Sonya (Myra Molloy), and the broad strokes of the girls’ story, along with many of the original video’s most recognizable images, will be familiar to Kiyoko’s longtime fans.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 16 June 2026
Regardless, Tyrrell has gained strokes ball-striking (driving and on approach) in the last four majors.
—Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
The stress can trigger heart attacks or strokes.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 15 June 2026
For best results, apply with a damp beauty sponge using a stippling motion rather than sweeping strokes, which can disturb coverage and leave streaks.
—Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 13 June 2026
Studies have shown that these medications can reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, obstructive sleep apnea and now possibly cancer.
—Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
A lot of people are having Covid strokes now.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 13 June 2026
Verb
When Robbie first strokes the plush walls, her Cathy stares with the appropriate mix of awe and terror.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2026
For an artisanal twist, look no further than Ezcaray Matisse throw that looks as if Georgia O’Keeffe applied the paint brush strokes herself.
—Kristine Hansen, Architectural Digest, 8 Jan. 2026
Research shows the risk of stroke also rises this time of year, and strokes present differently than heart attacks.
—Allison Aubrey, NPR, 17 Dec. 2025
In the video, the cat eventually curls up in a ball and continues purring as Li strokes her head.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Henry brushes it off as a nightmare; after Bug moves on, Beauchamp strokes the medallion and sings himself to sleep.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 22 Aug. 2025
In the town’s maternity ward, the only functioning facility of its kind for miles, Taisiya strokes Assol, her daughter born Sunday into a world where suddenly the risks of being in Sloviansk have multiplied.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strokes
Noun
-
Leaving the current occupant of the White House unnamed, Biden reflected on his own tenure and took a few swipes at the ex-Apprentice host’s record since returning to the White House from his successor and predecessor.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
15 June 2026
-
Fieri yells in the next clip as Jesser swipes above his head to try to block his shot in an inflatable basketball game.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Those of us with a penchant for fashion have managed—not without effort—to put aside the knowing glances, caresses, and hugs to take in every detail of the look.—
Arancha Gamo,
Glamour,
7 June 2026
-
Wilhelm enters the room, removes most of his clothing and gets into bed with her, slaps her, pushes her away and then caresses her face and cradles her.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The center also has hydrotherapy chairs where athletes can lie as a jet of water, similar but much stronger than the jets in a jacuzzi, massages them.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Nov. 2025
-
In a viral video shared on Instagram last Sunday under the username @whiskeytoller, the gray kitty can be seen hanging around his brother, Oakley, as his mom massages the injured area, doing his best to show his love and support.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Feminism was anti-gerontocratic, too, striking blows against old men and their old ways.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
-
The biggest blows came from Garcia and Starling Marte.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Each function compares itself to that function at other companies of similar scale and the functional leader pats themselves on the back for being ahead or at least not behind.—
Keith Ferrazzi,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Mama pats Rafa’s head then ruffles his hair.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
With its telltale cone shape, the northernmost of Sicily's Aeolian Islands is home to a volcano that puffs on a near-constant basis.—
Elizabeth Heath,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Mar. 2026
-
But The Bagel Nut Duo, chocolate croissants, yellow sheet cake, and a bag of Cacio e Pepe puffs to eat your feelings about yet another recall.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Most baseball fights produce a little shoving, occasional hugging, some dancing and pulled powderpuff punches.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
-
Three days before the first punches are set to be thrown at a White House-UFC event, the South Lawn is unrecognizable.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Domingo praises Spielberg as a collaborator.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
13 June 2026
-
Half of the opinion piece praises the efforts and contributions of Uncle Lou, all of which are certainly laudable.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strokes. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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