1
2
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
you'd better shut up if you don't want a poke on the nose
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
the constantly bickering husband and wife seem unable to let five minutes pass without an exchange of gratuitous pokes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
chiefly Southern & Midland
as in pouch
a container made of a flexible material (as paper or plastic)
the old warning against buying a pig in a poke
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
saw his head poking through the window
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to interfere
to interest oneself in what is not one's concern
told him to stop poking into other people's business
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to crawl
to move or act slowly
just poked around all morning and didn't accomplish much
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of poke
Asli Pelit, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
While our eyes and ears each process information related to light or sound, touch concerns a smorgasbord of stimuli, including pokes, pulls, puffs, caresses and vibrations, as well as a range of temperatures and chemicals, such as capsaicin in chili peppers or menthol in mint.
—Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Some equipment managers had cut a football, poked two eyeholes in it, and Brown put it over his head and shared it on social media.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for poke
Noun
With the right toe poke, the forward found the back of the net for the game’s lone goal.
—Asli Pelit, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
While our eyes and ears each process information related to light or sound, touch concerns a smorgasbord of stimuli, including pokes, pulls, puffs, caresses and vibrations, as well as a range of temperatures and chemicals, such as capsaicin in chili peppers or menthol in mint.
—Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
At the 4:48 mark of the third quarter, Clark was poked in the eye by Sun guard Jacy Sheldon and body-checked from her blindside by Sheldon’s teammate Marina Mabrey.
—Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Some equipment managers had cut a football, poked two eyeholes in it, and Brown put it over his head and shared it on social media.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for poke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poke
Verb
-
The animals have small eyes that slightly protrude from their heads, which are smooth and flat, according to the study.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
-
Books fly off the shelves, a protruding nail vanishes and then reappears, a Ouija board spells an incomplete message, and there’s definitely something on the third floor.—
Gabino Iglesias,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Any hint that Iran might interfere there—for example, with drone activity, military drills, or even underwater mines—sends traders scrambling.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
-
Cid also said that Bolsonaro refused to interfere regarding camps by supporters that were set up in front of army facilities calling for a military intervention after the then-president lost the election.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 June 2025
Verb
-
The curious little creatures interact with you (sometimes crawling on your body) while practicing your pose, adding an extra stress-reducing and unforgettable element to your usual yoga routine.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
13 June 2025
-
Recent videos from Boston Dynamics shows the humanoid Atlas bot crawling, tumbling and even break dancing.—
Christopher Helman,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Verb
-
What were the final few days like? Exhausting and dragging on.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
17 June 2025
-
But by the late 1970s, as negotiations over a treaty dragged on, Congress grew receptive to industry lobbyists seeking legislation that would protect their investments in mining sites beyond U.S. maritime jurisdiction.—
Time,
Time,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
Trim overhanging limbs and relocate furniture to avoid popular bird perches that drop messes onto your patio.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 June 2025
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And to fill that space, fill it beautifully, not take up that space and mess it up in a sense.—
Danielle Pointdujour,
Essence,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
That didn't happen early Friday, however, perhaps signaling investors' lingering worries over the high level of U.S. debt.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
13 June 2025
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Overcast skies and lingering wet weather isn’t expected to alter the event.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
Soon, Kelli’s voice creeps up a few octaves after Brit calls her insecure, prompting her to lay the glam team drama on the table.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
23 June 2025
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The Mets still have the best ERA in the majors at 3.08, but their month-by-month ERAs are creeping up — from 2.64 in March and April to 3.15 in May and 3.76 so far in June.—
Jerry Beach,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Verb
-
Others described judges attempting to snoop or surveil them.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
9 June 2025
-
Jason’s friend and a fellow associate of Brian’s, Cal feels safest hanging at home, snooping on Coast Guard comms with a few beers and some private browser tabs open.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poke. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
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