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
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
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
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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
Verb
-
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
-
Not every type of kale needs massaging.—
Zoe Denenberg,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Brush rib slabs with oil; sprinkle evenly with spice mixture, gently patting to adhere.—
Jasmine Smith,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
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Kids love the hands-on steps here — scooping soil, patting it down around the plants and writing Grandma’s name on a tag.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The ship’s captain, Jan Dobrogowski, issued a video message Monday praising passengers and crew for their perseverance and calling for respect for their privacy.—
Mike Corder,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
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Those kind of plays have the Wild coaches praising Hartman for his maturity, in not taking the bait and retaliating with an act that might mean another lengthy suspension.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
9 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
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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
-
Al-Sudani issued a statement congratulating al-Zaidi.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This season is over, and the sooner Lakers fans accept the inevitability while applauding the effort.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
He was given a standing ovation and responded by applauding all four sides of the stadium.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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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 15 May. 2026.
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