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
Latoya Gayle, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
In a stroke of luck for me (and other comfy shoe lovers), Birkenstock shoes just went on sale at boutique retailers Gilt and Rue La La in time for spring, and so many envy-inducing styles are now sitting at new low prices.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2025
Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
So, instead, Clinton watches Nazareth stroke a shot into the top right corner and ultimately earn Portugal a 1-1 draw in Friday’s opening Nations League match against England with 15 minutes of regular time remaining.
—Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Noun
Untreated blood clots can affect blood supply to the brain and cause a life-threatening stroke, per the outlet.
—Latoya Gayle, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
In a stroke of luck for me (and other comfy shoe lovers), Birkenstock shoes just went on sale at boutique retailers Gilt and Rue La La in time for spring, and so many envy-inducing styles are now sitting at new low prices.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
As a sign of contemplation, Unai Emery stroked his chin.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
So, instead, Clinton watches Nazareth stroke a shot into the top right corner and ultimately earn Portugal a 1-1 draw in Friday’s opening Nations League match against England with 15 minutes of regular time remaining.
—Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroke
Noun
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The film stars the gifted André Holland as a theater performer who becomes an amnesiac after suffering a violent blow to the head.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
11 Mar. 2025
-
The loss was a big blow for the Kings, who played well without two starters but ultimately squandered an opportunity to move ahead of the Clippers for seventh in the Western Conference playoff race.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacramento Bee,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Unfortunately for us, Percy has not arrived just to caress Lord John, who honestly needs it, but rather to pass on some intel: Percy warns John of a plot to kidnap William in order to force John and his brother Hal to cooperate with the Continental Army.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
27 Dec. 2024
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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
Verb
-
Then, after massaging her arm, the man put it back down on the bed and rubbed her hand along his body.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
27 Feb. 2025
-
James applies it directly onto the scalp after shampooing and conditioning, lifting hair section by section, gently giving hair a little shake to disperse it and then massaging it in with fingers.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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After a single swipe, the formula feels lightweight—yet not inky (there’s hardly any transfer to my lids or under-eyes).—
Gina Vaynshteyn,
StyleCaster,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Staying largely on-script, Trump made a few jokes and took a few swipes at Democrats.—
Marc Caputo,
Axios,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Eight days ago, at the very moment when Trump was patting French President Emmanuel Macron on the back at the White House, the United States voted at the United Nations with Russia and North Korea against the Europeans demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops.—
Claude Malhuret,
The Atlantic,
8 Mar. 2025
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Key ingredients: Dimethicone, sunflower seed oil, gardenia florida fruit extract, sacred lotus flower extract, Nymphaea odorata root extract Finish: Matte/Radiant Shades: 13 How to apply: Apply one dot on each cheek and use your fingertips to gently pat the blush into the skin.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The grits, however, are given a modern twist—puffed for texture, creating an exciting contrast that feels both familiar and new.—
Chelsea Davis,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
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And then a figure bursts through the foliage, puffing on a vape.—
Demetrios Matheou,
The Hollywood Reporter,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But there’s thump, there’s just an understanding of situations, ability to use the whole field.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
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Alonso slots back into the Mets lineup and fits perfectly behind new teammate Juan Soto, providing exactly the kind of right-handed thump the Mets were lacking.—
Tim Britton,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Stafford walked up to the podium, congratulated the team on its season and expressed his sympathy to those families in attendance who had been impacted by the Eaton fire that roared through Pasadena in January.—
Adam Grosbard,
Orange County Register,
5 Mar. 2025
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Knight’s sympathetic response is interrupted when Rhonda (Kathy Searle), Briarwood's exuberant security guard, rolls up in her golf cart to congratulate the pair on getting back together.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroke. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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