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 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

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

Definition of caressing

Verb

The one-sided conversation ended with Hocevar patting Wallace on the shoulder — defusing the tension while offering little remorse.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 June 2026
If raw red onion is too strong for you, let the slices soak in ice water for 15 to 30 minutes before draining, patting dry, and adding to the salad.

— Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 June 2026

Definition of patting

Verb

Fans are commending Hathaway for owning the mistake, with many praising her for making the look her own.

— Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
Western, for his part, had by this time recovered something of his usual bluster, and began again upon the subject of Blifil, commending his estate and his family with great earnestness, as though these considerations alone ought to have settled the matter long since.

— Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 2 June 2026

Definition of commending

Verb

Tommy Hilfiger teased it with an Instagram post on Wednesday congratulating Kelce on his wedding last week to Taylor Swift.

— Lisa Gutierrez July 9, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
Madix received calls from her friends, her family, and her boyfriend, Daniel Wai, congratulating her on her Emmy nomination.

— Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 8 July 2026

Definition of congratulating

Verb

Most players who have toiled in the minor league system debut in front of applauding friends and family.

— Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
The sea of yellow applauding the efforts of the dejected Brazilian players who milled about, seemingly unwilling to accept that a match that took so long to really get going was over so quickly.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of applauding

Verb

Set in an alternate past during Japan's Meiji era, the world of Sparks of Tomorrow is totally reliant on steam power, with massive boilers constantly puffing away.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 3 July 2026
Solar maximum was reached in late 2024, heating and puffing the Earth’s atmosphere, increasing the drag on all satellites.

— Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 2 July 2026