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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of stroking
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
No one wants to follow an ego-stroking social media account with zero content value.
—Peter Boyd, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
In the black-and-white video, Kelly could be seen holding his baby's hand, stroking her fingers.
—Sarah Jones, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Too long submerged in suppressed grief, Zilpha now came up from its depth like any swimmer stroking toward light and sweet air.
—Annie Proulx, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2025
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
No one wants to follow an ego-stroking social media account with zero content value.
—Peter Boyd, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
In the black-and-white video, Kelly could be seen holding his baby's hand, stroking her fingers.
—Sarah Jones, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Too long submerged in suppressed grief, Zilpha now came up from its depth like any swimmer stroking toward light and sweet air.
—Annie Proulx, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroking
Verb
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The Young Pope star was seen caressing Coan’s back and whispering in her ear.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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The singer was spotted in pictures shared to social media, gently caressing the baby bump of his romantic partner.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
3 Sep. 2019
Verb
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Create some suspense and anticipation by going in slowly, starting with the head and just massaging it slightly with the tip of your tongue.—
Ian Kumamoto,
Them.,
10 Sep. 2025
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Certainly not once the front and rear heated seats and front massaging seats are powered on.—
Scotty Reiss,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Keep your greens crisp by draining, rinsing, and patting them dry before using.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
2 Sep. 2025
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At times, its puzzle-solving and chaotic arcade shooting felt like patting your head while rubbing your stomach.—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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While praising intent, Farley cautioned that current policies alone will not solve the demand crisis; as production expands domestically, the absence of a skilled workforce could drive up costs, create delays, and ultimately hurt both businesses and consumers.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
30 Sep. 2025
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The film was well-received after its Venice debut with many critics praising Oscar nominee Seyfried’s performance in particular.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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After commending leaders for their work, the president spoke of changes being made at the Pentagon, including the decision to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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Cozens’ former teammate Kyle Okposo took to Cozens right away, even commending the youngster for his leadership skills.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Elizabeth Warren, who’s from Oklahoma, left me a voicemail the other day congratulating us on our 1 million YouTube subscribers.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
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But none of that mattered when the caps were coming off and Americans were congratulating Europeans.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Even progressive critics from the party’s activist wing are applauding Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, who are insisting that any government spending package must extend health care subsidies that are set to expire at the year’s end.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
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The sight of a player first hearing their own chant and applauding the fans for it is a nourishing one.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The White House is puffing up its chest like an inevitable victor when the clock reaches Zero Hour.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
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Designer Jean Paul Gaultier was sandwiched between Kate Moss and Catherine Deneuve, puffing on her vape.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stroking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroking. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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