as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
all it took was one hard stroke to knock the ball out of the tree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to caress
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
2
as in to massage
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 stroke
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2025
And there can be physical consequences: A study conducted by the UC Irvine lab found greater worry about the 2020 election predicted a 10% increase in physical health ailments like cancer, stroke and heart attacks up to three years later, Relihan said.
—Tina Reed, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025
Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2024
The sleeve was also successfully used to deliver a virtual stroking sensation, by sequentially activating the pouches one after another.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Noun
After just a few strokes, my brows appeared fluffy, defined, and groomed to natural-looking perfection.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2025
And there can be physical consequences: A study conducted by the UC Irvine lab found greater worry about the 2020 election predicted a 10% increase in physical health ailments like cancer, stroke and heart attacks up to three years later, Relihan said.
—Tina Reed, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025
Verb
Rost put a hand on the man’s head and stroked his hair with her thumb, gently at first, then more firmly as the man’s body again went still.
—Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2024
The sleeve was also successfully used to deliver a virtual stroking sensation, by sequentially activating the pouches one after another.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroke
Noun
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However, this is a huge win for City and a devastating blow for England’s top flight.—
Dan Sheldon,
The Athletic,
15 Feb. 2025
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The new season of Kitchen Nightmares has seen the star chef come to blows with restaurant owners over practices such as sending out raw hamburgers and (in last week’s episode) appearing to give customers food poisoning.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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On Valentines Day, Rihanna sat with Mayers during another break, gently caressing his cheek while the couple sat on a courtroom bench, surrounded by beefy security guards.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
18 Feb. 2025
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Sultry music is played to set the tone while staff gently introduces attendees to pleasurable sensations—tracing soft touches along their thighs, caressing their décolleté with silky fur, or running fingers through their hair, as well as decorating them with flowers and crystals.—
Aubree Nichols,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Medieval cooks molded pork meatloaf to look like pea pods and massaged sweet almond paste into hedgehogs.—
Molly Young,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Trump’s world is one where off-the-cuff statements can be massaged, and his telegenic cabinet overturn the paradigms of global security hourly, without major consequence.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The sketch took some vague swipes at a few of them, starting with Kate McKinnon as Rudy Giuliani.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Transfer-proof and long-lasting for 24 hours of wear, this formula is in it for the long haul: the creamy concealer works to perfect the look of skin—correcting pigmentation, veiling blemishes, and evening skin tone with just a few swipes of its doe-foot applicator.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Both before and after each use, use warm water and soap to wash it, then pat it dry.—
Amanda Chatel,
Glamour,
19 Feb. 2025
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Type: Liquid Finish: Matte/Radiant Finish How to apply: Apply 1-2 dots on each cheek, then use your fingertips to gently pat the blush into the skin.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Listen to this article Damien Terrazas remembers how his mother’s face puffed up the first time her boyfriend hit her.—
Shelly Bradbury,
The Denver Post,
9 Feb. 2025
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United huffed and puffed in their attempts to find an equaliser but rarely threatened to score.—
Matt Woosnam,
The Athletic,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Outlook Single Double Triple Homer Texas moved quickly to bring in Pederson after trading Nathaniel Lowe, sacrificing a lot of fielding value but maintaining similar left-handed thump for the lineup.—
Tim Britton,
The Athletic,
12 Feb. 2025
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Talanoa Hufanga against the run The Niners’ veteran safety provided serious thump and steady run fits to help San Francisco’s defense keep the Rams out of the end zone in this game.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
The Mercury News,
12 Dec. 2024
Verb
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From one Canadian to another, and one 6-foot-6, 220-pound statue to another, Pronger congratulated Parayko on his gold medal at the 4 Nations Face-Off.—
Jeremy Rutherford,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
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Jonathan Van Ness made one lucky fan smile after congratulating her on her engagement to her girlfriend after her parents didn't.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroke. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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