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
Example Sentences
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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
-
To heat, microwave in short intervals, massaging the rice around in between.—
Caroline Lubinsky,
Martha Stewart,
18 May 2026
-
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
Verb
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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
-
Streisand closed her speech by praising the global film community and the power of cinema to bring people together.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
25 May 2026
-
Nevertheless, the White House sent a letter in early May after lawmakers gaveled out, praising Masterson and Hawkins for their leadership.—
Matthew Kelly
May 24,
Kansas City Star,
24 May 2026
Verb
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With commencement season rapidly coming to a close, on Saturday, Sonoma State University was commending its graduates on their resilience.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
24 May 2026
-
On March 24, the court passed a resolution recognizing and commending the Turning Point Academy of Granbury, a religious school set to open in the fall that is connected to the conservative Turning Point USA movement.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Patrick Mahomes has a share in the Kansas City Royals and tweeted a video of Kelce's first pitch in congratulating him.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
-
Patrick Mahomes has a share in the Kansas City Royals and tweeted a video of Kelce’s first pitch in congratulating him.—
Joe Reedy,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Capaldi's more than 300,000 followers were quick to jump into the comment section of the now-viral post, with many applauding her choices.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
23 May 2026
-
Instead of taking selfies, applauding and cherishing family memories at the event, the comedian admitted to smuggling in booze, fighting with a guard and getting kicked out.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
20 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 29 May. 2026.
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