STROKES Synonyms: 170 Similar and Opposite Words

strokes 1 of 2

noun

plural of stroke

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

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strokes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of stroke

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

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

Noun

In contrast, based on CDC data, effective control of chronic disease could reduce life-threatening complications like heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure, saving upward of $1 trillion annually (nearly 20% of total medical spending). — Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 The Louisiana State University alum came into the round ahead by two strokes but quickly lost it and went birdie-free for the final 12 holes. — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 19 July 2026 People with existing heart or lung conditions face a higher risk of complications, including asthma attacks, heart attacks or strokes. — Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 19 July 2026 The 29-year-old American, who led by two strokes entering the final round, did not make a birdie Sunday after the second hole. — Justin Ray, New York Times, 19 July 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

Think of it like a team of pickpockets, one of which walks up to ask you for directions while the other swipes your wallet.

— Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 10 July 2026
Make careful vertical swipes, run the vegetable peeler down the sides of the fruit, following its curves to trim closely between the skin and the flesh.

— Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026

Definition of swipes

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

Definition of caresses

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

Definition of massages

Noun

In a little corner of my mind, however, history will always mean the tragic smashing of individual lives by its cruel hands and the scattering of bewildered people reeling from its blows.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2026
One way to look at the Washington Nationals’ kick-in-the-groin sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees — three leads in the eighth inning, three dizzying losses — is that none of the previous blows this team has taken have permanently felled it.

— Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 13 July 2026

Definition of blows

Verb

In police body camera footage, which Feder shared with WCCO, Feder gets out with his hands up and an officer pats him down.

— Ashley Grams, CBS News, 12 July 2026
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

Definition of pats

Noun

There was a June 1977 friendly in Buenos Aires where punches were thrown and players were ejected.

— Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2026
But the Azteca started to change that, with that long second half rearguard, the deep 5-3-1, those endless headers and blocks and punches.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 12 July 2026

Definition of punches

Verb

Director David Wain, who co-wrote the comedy with Marino, his longtime creative partner and college buddy from NYU, praises his pal’s wacky comedic skills.

— Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Goldstein lists the nearby Shore Club and Shelbourne and others, praises them and notes the neighborhood is improving its hotel offering and recovering its splendor.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026