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

Among the younger adults who experienced strokes, there was an increase in hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) and substance use. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Ischemic strokes are primarily behind rise The study looked at strokes among adults ages 20 to 54 in the greater Cincinnati and northern Kentucky region. — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026 Then, in early September, Novartis unveiled the results of its trials of a drug directed at lowering a protein — known as lipoprotein A — thought to cause heart attacks and strokes. — Adam Cohen, Oklahoman, 22 Sep. 2026 Emergence as a leader Jeffs began helping his father lead the group in the early 2000s as Rulon Jeffs’s health declined from a series of strokes. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026 For one, researchers measured changes in risk factors, not whether people actually avoided heart attacks, strokes, or death. — Lauren Manaker Ms, HEALTH, 18 Sep. 2026 Start by purchasing an inexpensive dip pen (where the ink comes from a separate pot) and find an online alphabet that demonstrates the order and direction of each letter’s strokes. — Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 16 Sep. 2026 The rest of her Emmys look was soft and sweet, with delicate pink shades on her cheeks and lips and a few strokes of liner and mascara to define her blue eyes. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 15 Sep. 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

The display glasses didn’t always respond to thumb swipes and sometimes lagged after voice commands.

— Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2026
According to RevitaLash, apply a few swipes of the serum to clean lashes once per day.

— Iman Balagam, Vogue, 27 Aug. 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

And in a single season, a high school or college football player absorbs an estimated 600 to 1,000 subconcussive blows.

— Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026
While often associated with blows to the head during contact sports, concussions are common at all ages.

— Richard Sima, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of blows

Noun

And by the way, with how shifty rookie Emmett Johnson has been at this level, Kansas City may quietly have one of the league’s best one-two punches.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
According to court testimony, Griffin’s younger brother had gotten into an argument; punches were thrown, and the younger brother fell or was pushed.

— Jenisha Watts, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of punches

Verb

Sandy praises her crew for performing efficiently under pressure, and gives out the $1,807 each of them earned from a $23,500 tip.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
While Tarlov was grateful for his advice, her book praises current Fox News Chief Executive Suzanne Scott for creating a workplace culture that is much more hospitable to women.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026