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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of strokes
David Chiu, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Over the years, researchers have tried to tie your body getting an hour less of sleep that night to a variety of issues, including an increase in car crashes and health problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
—Chris Sims, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Oct. 2025
His father and mother both died due to strokes and heart issues.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Some love long, gentle strokes, while others prefer brief contact or none at all.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Haidt has responded by defending his work, and pointing to the broad policy strokes leaders are taking.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
The former makes vertical films — solid, functional, built with heavy strokes.
—Alejandro González Iñárritu, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
Instead of applying excessive pressure and using a circular motion to avoid streaks, Riding recommends wiping the glass in long vertical and horizontal strokes.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2025
Lee averaged just four strokes over par across the matches and earned low medalist honors in all three events.
—Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
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
The condition is common, but can lead to serious complications, including heart attacks and strokes.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Over the years, researchers have tried to tie your body getting an hour less of sleep that night to a variety of issues, including an increase in car crashes and health problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
—Chris Sims, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Oct. 2025
His father and mother both died due to strokes and heart issues.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Some love long, gentle strokes, while others prefer brief contact or none at all.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Haidt has responded by defending his work, and pointing to the broad policy strokes leaders are taking.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
The former makes vertical films — solid, functional, built with heavy strokes.
—Alejandro González Iñárritu, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
Instead of applying excessive pressure and using a circular motion to avoid streaks, Riding recommends wiping the glass in long vertical and horizontal strokes.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2025
Lee averaged just four strokes over par across the matches and earned low medalist honors in all three events.
—Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
-
Villaraigosa has not been afraid to take swipes at other Democrats in the gubernatorial primary.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Wipe in circular motions with a lint-free microfiber cloth to loosen grime, then finish with long, horizontal swipes.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
1 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Then Jennifer Tilly’s hand gently caresses Gina Gershon’s face from her cheek down to her chin.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Despite major strides in the right direction, the push for a greener future has been dealt several devastating blows from a fraught supply chain, economic headwinds and political setbacks.—
Katherine Fung,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Richard Westenberger, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Carter’s, said tariffs are delivering blows to the business, which has caused the company to hike its prices and decrease its discounting efforts.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The clip, shared by Sarah Ingle (@saraheingle), a dedicated dog fosterer, shows seven-month-old Cookie Crisps nestled in her arms while Ingle gently pats her bottom.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
As a matter of fact, pats on the back are probably very few and far between.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Mia puffs up her body to look intimidating, as the googly-eyed statue stares back at her.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The poem is littered with gut punches that would destroy me as a parent; Lee sees the poem’s beauty and appears to feel appropriate shame.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
-
No punches were thrown, and order was quickly restored, but the mere sight of a standoff is rare in any playoff game, much less Game 7 of the World Series.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Olivia Rutigliano praises Guillermo Del Toro’s new adaptation of Frankenstein.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Nov. 2025
-
Centini praises the energy of the new generation of Italian filmmakers.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Will these two oddballs, thrust together by a dental emergency on a night that commends peace on Earth and goodwill toward men, maintain a friendship?—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Broncos head coach Sean Payton regularly commends Lazzaro’s work, both in terms of on-field data and research, and also in the scouting and draft realms.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strokes. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share