Synonyms of stroking

stroking

verb

present participle of stroke

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

• caressing
• patting
• hugging
• petting
• loving
• fondling
• cradling
• cuddling
• snuggling
• nuzzling
• gentling
• pawing
• spooning
• necking
• massaging
• nestling
• kneading
• enfolding
• nosing
• canoodling
• embracing
• bouncing
• billing
• dandling
• pampering
• indulging
• coddling
• feeling up
• spoiling
• babying
• mollycoddling

2

as in massaging

to praise too much

a politician with a special gift for stroking fat-cat donors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• massaging
• praising
• commending
• congratulating
• applauding
• puffing
• coaxing
• worshiping
• flattering
• hero-worshiping
• buttering up
• honeying
• belauding
• overpraising
• wooing
• cajoling
• fawning
• adulating
• complimenting
• wheedling
• kowtowing
• sucking (up to)
• hero-worshipping
• blarneying
• extolling
• soft-soaping
• toadying
• idolizing
• eulogizing
• worshipping
• blandishing
• sweet-talking
• lauding
• romancing
• ingratiating
• slavering
• felicitating
• courting
• slobbering
• gushing
• endearing
• drooling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disparaging
• decrying
• depreciating
• putting down
• belittling
• bad-mouthing

• disparaging
• decrying
• depreciating
• putting down
• belittling
• bad-mouthing