1
as in caressing
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
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2
as in massaging
to praise too much
a politician with a special gift for stroking fat-cat donors
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Recent Examples of stroking
She was later reunited with her dog, stroking him in stunned silence before being taken to the hospital.
—
Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
At one point Eliot entered the TV room and found Abby with her head on Claire’s lap, Claire stroking her hair.
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
At first, wishes were made on the unbroken bones of the furcula by gently stroking them.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 25 Nov. 2025
In the space of a couple of hours, each judge plowed their way through at least 40 cheeses — sniffing, stroking, crumbling, and finally, tasting to arrive at a score.
—Barry Neild, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2025
Sometimes just stroking the ball to the other field, as Andres Gimenez did to drive in a run, or rolling one through the hole as Addison Barger did for an RBI in that inning, works just as well.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
One game, especially one so dominated by the defense, certainly isn’t enough to decide whether this is even an issue, but noted QB whisperer O’Connell has to be stroking his chin.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025
But Ethan’s out there getting loose and stroking it.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 20 Sep. 2025
According to the pages labeled as court exhibits, Priscilla rushed to her daughter’s bedside and was holding her hand, stroking her face, and telling her she was loved as family members gathered.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
At one point Eliot entered the TV room and found Abby with her head on Claire’s lap, Claire stroking her hair.
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
At first, wishes were made on the unbroken bones of the furcula by gently stroking them.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 25 Nov. 2025
In the space of a couple of hours, each judge plowed their way through at least 40 cheeses — sniffing, stroking, crumbling, and finally, tasting to arrive at a score.
—Barry Neild, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2025
Sometimes just stroking the ball to the other field, as Andres Gimenez did to drive in a run, or rolling one through the hole as Addison Barger did for an RBI in that inning, works just as well.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
One game, especially one so dominated by the defense, certainly isn’t enough to decide whether this is even an issue, but noted QB whisperer O’Connell has to be stroking his chin.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025
But Ethan’s out there getting loose and stroking it.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 20 Sep. 2025
According to the pages labeled as court exhibits, Priscilla rushed to her daughter’s bedside and was holding her hand, stroking her face, and telling her she was loved as family members gathered.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroking
Verb
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The basis of the important therapy stems from studies showing that holding and caressing an animal provides benefits such as relaxation, lower blood pressure, decreasing anxiety, and increasing positivity, according to the news release.—
Dawn Giangiulio,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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Williams knows how to humanize this bare-bones vocabulary, minutely adjusting the voicing of a chord or caressing the last of a set of recurring motifs with a regretful ritardando.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Purifying shampoo, nourishing conditioner and scalp-massaging brush are also available to enhance your routine for your healthiest hair.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
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Before shampooing, apply this lightweight gel-cream formula to wet hair in sections before adding water and massaging thoroughly—this way, your actual shampoo can perform better and cleanse more effectively.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For our littlest kids, this might mean patting the back of a worried friend, waving to an elderly neighbor, or breaking a cookie in half to share with a younger brother.—
Catherine Newman,
Parents,
22 Feb. 2026
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Akhparian asked while patting himself down and feigning to be in search of a weapon.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These tips can help parents find the right approach to praising a child's efforts and accomplishments.—
Wayne Parker,
Parents,
8 Mar. 2026
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Iranian state television, after airing his speech, immediately went back to praising the country’s ongoing attacks across the region.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Trump previously endorsed the Hungarian politician in 2020, commending Orbán’s restrictive immigration policies and dedication to job creation.—
Sarah Davis,
The Hill,
13 Feb. 2026
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That was the closest the 2026 DGA speeches came to being political outside of union support, with directors Coogler and Safdie both commending the insurance the guild provides (particularly as each director has a child that is currently sick).—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The interview wasn’t terribly insightful — the host seemed more interested in congratulating Panahi for being a hero than in exploring the context for that heroism.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Mar. 2026
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Please join me in congratulating Jenisha and welcoming Sarah to The Atlantic.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Audience reactions from early access screenings have been similar, with moviegoers also applauding the film’s creativity and humor.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Mar. 2026
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The fans ended up applauding their team proudly despite being eliminated; a rare sight for the Camp Nou.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Varied scenes include a video of smokestacks in the unmistakable soft light of a Beijing winter, the artist puffing cigarettes as a Lazy Susan spins leisurely with dishes and a bottle of Nongfu Spring, a local mineral water brand; and a robot getting out of an elevator.—
Stephy Chung,
CNN Money,
22 Jan. 2026
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This whiskey can, of course, be enjoyed without puffing on a cigar—that part of the ritual is completely optional—but it was made very intentionally by master blender Nancy Fraley and master distiller John Schrepel.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
27 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stroking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroking. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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