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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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
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The actor followed her around at several events related to the wedding, eventually caressing the back of her arm and pressing his knee against hers under the table.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But a talent for massaging egos is the most desirable strength.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
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Just be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut or almond oil before massaging it into sore spots.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
-
The dog then slumped into the boat, with one crew member gently patting it in comfort.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Paxton’s campaign began airing an ad Friday that features video clips of Trump praising Paxton and images of them together.—
Thomas Beaumont,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
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After praising Dreher for 10 minutes, Vance invited him onstage.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On Sunday night and into Monday, BAM’s X feed spilled over with reposts commending the account for its largely correct forecasts.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Comments on both videos range from commending this brilliant idea to admitting to leaving the anchor in and patching over it.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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During that time, policemen and policewomen, Black and white, approached Officer Daniel, hugging him, shaking his hand, patting him on the back, congratulating him — demonstrating an enormous outpouring of support and admiration.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Daniel Girdler got plenty of text messages this week congratulating him on his recent engagement.—
Jason Armesto,
AJC.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Among those in attendance was former NFL center Jason Kelce, who was shown on the scoreboard applauding the goal initially credited to Edwards.—
John Wawrow,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
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There are bodily fluids, jeering crowds, and demonic Punch and Judy puppets applauding through the chaos, giving the scene the air of a demented fairy tale.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 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 20 Feb. 2026.
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