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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
-
Salicylic acid works deep within pores to tackle buildup, while lactic acid smooths rough texture and refines skin’s surface, leaving skin looking clearer and feeling smoother in just a few swipes.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
23 June 2026
-
Clark and Bonner famously got into it during a physical postseason clash in 2024, including shoves and swipes.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2026
Verb
-
The Princess Diaries star smiles, caresses her belly, then ducks out of the frame.—
Redazione People,
Vanity Fair,
19 June 2026
-
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
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
-
Onaje died four days later — having suffered fatal brain hemorrhaging from multiple blows to his skull.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
23 June 2026
-
Officers said that Samartino quickly assessed the situation and immediately began administering back blows to the infant.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
20 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
-
An active Sun puffs up Earth’s atmosphere, creating higher drag for satellites in low-Earth orbit.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
19 June 2026
-
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
Noun
-
The Los Angeles singer-songwriter’s latest is a crisp and candid twee pop record with unexpected studio touches and gut punches.—
Jude Noel,
Pitchfork,
19 June 2026
-
No such punches could be seen on the video.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Ornatov praises this cleaner for its ability to dissolve and absorb the mess, which keeps you from having to scrub the same spot repeatedly—time saved, effort reduced.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
18 June 2026
-
Thorne wasn’t on set when the scene was filmed but praises Munden for his visual approach to the emotional moment.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strokes. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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