STROKING Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

stroking

verb

present participle of stroke

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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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 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroking

Verb

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
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