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
Relevance
2
as in massaging
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 stroking
There was only one other visitor, another mother stroking another small head.
—
Fran Moreland Johns, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Alongside Cruise feeding and stroking his dying cat while walking around his mansion with his gut hanging out, there are shots of planes readying for battle and collapsing polar ice caps.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
Two-year-old Lily Capasso stopped by, stroking a small paint brush on the starting line – a sign that the world’s most iconic marathon is for everyone, no matter their age.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Elton John doing a handstand on his keyboard, Roger Daltrey stroking a microphone, Ian Anderson making the flute somehow look cool — his pictures became a means of connection for fans.
—David Di Sabatino, SPIN, 3 Apr. 2026
At first, Hanke thought Miyabi was just stroking his ego.
—Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 25 Mar. 2026
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
Fran Moreland Johns, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Alongside Cruise feeding and stroking his dying cat while walking around his mansion with his gut hanging out, there are shots of planes readying for battle and collapsing polar ice caps.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
Two-year-old Lily Capasso stopped by, stroking a small paint brush on the starting line – a sign that the world’s most iconic marathon is for everyone, no matter their age.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Elton John doing a handstand on his keyboard, Roger Daltrey stroking a microphone, Ian Anderson making the flute somehow look cool — his pictures became a means of connection for fans.
—David Di Sabatino, SPIN, 3 Apr. 2026
At first, Hanke thought Miyabi was just stroking his ego.
—Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 25 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroking
Verb
-
The couple posed for photos at the event, drawing attention to their gestating bundle of joy by framing and caressing Palvin’s belly.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
-
Grudda pushed Barkow's wheelchair through the zoo, her hands caressing her mother's shoulders or pointing out the animals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In October 2018, a student told her school counselor and then Hiner that Agan had come up behind her and started massaging her neck beneath her long hair.—
Holly McDede,
ProPublica,
12 May 2026
-
Berrios-Otero was later seen allegedly massaging both boys, including one of them in their groin and buttocks area, the warrant affidavits said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Bill de Blasio had campaigned against aggressive policing, particularly the city’s controversial policy of briefly detaining people and patting them down for weapons.—
Elizabeth Glazer,
The Atlantic,
19 May 2026
-
Agents executing a search warrant seized the phone and then found a second phone while patting Sprei down, Wang said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Andrews, 64, revealed he was diagnosed in the fall of 2025, praising the nonprofit ALS Network for creating a sense of community for the couple following his diagnosis.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
-
Andrews has since partnered with the ALS Network, praising the organization for providing him and his fiancée, actress Erica Tazel, with a sense of community.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Vogue's hosts asked her on the carpet, later commending her dedication to fashion, art and costume.—
Dalila Muata,
NBC news,
5 May 2026
-
Attention around Simpson has since taken off, with people commending him for his kindness and generosity.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Redick held back tears when general manager Rob Pelinka presented him with the game ball in the locker room on March 31 and showed a video of Redick’s sons, Knox and Kai, congratulating their dad.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
Sometimes, the crowd at a nearby ballpark will issue a rousing cheer – as if congratulating you on a hike well done.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
In fact, Seydoux was among those in the audience applauding tonight.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
17 May 2026
-
Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore and Pawel Pawlikowski could be seen applauding in the audience after the screening.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Spurs, under their third manager of the season, were huffing and puffing in their attempts to blow Wolves’ defence down.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
In the mid-2000s, after getting the worst of it during a few hurricanes, the external panels had to be replaced, but they were faithfully reproduced down to the bull’s steam-puffing nostrils.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stroking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroking. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
