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
Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2024
Most notably, the long spines on their fins are filled with venom that can be potentially fatal to any predators trying to take a bite, and a poke from the spines can be extremely painful for people, according to Oceana International.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025
Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 20 Mar. 2025
There’s no place like home Lakers coach JJ Redick sighed at my question postgame Wednesday, the words potentially poking at the mythical forces that determine whether your team is lucky or not.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poke
Noun
The twist of the group being able to lose slow pokes for the cost of their money might actually lead to interesting dilemmas for the climbers, except that the producers too often try to force the players' hands.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2024
Most notably, the long spines on their fins are filled with venom that can be potentially fatal to any predators trying to take a bite, and a poke from the spines can be extremely painful for people, according to Oceana International.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
Democrats are desperate for someone to start poking their own finger into Trump’s chest.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 20 Mar. 2025
There’s no place like home Lakers coach JJ Redick sighed at my question postgame Wednesday, the words potentially poking at the mythical forces that determine whether your team is lucky or not.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poke
Verb
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Similarly, instead of modifying the landscape, McGuire integrated it into the pad’s design—a bridged walkway passes through two massive granite boulders, leading the way to the front door, and the office/guest room features an integrated desk, with a boulder protruding through a wall of glass.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
10 Mar. 2025
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Hands protrude from a wound in its spine, suggesting something even worse is inside trying to get out.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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That approach works better, interfering less with the maestro’s performance(s), while sleight of hand allows the actor to appear opposite himself in a handful of scenes.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2025
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That complaint, in reference to electioneering and interfering in the polls, was lodged against Martin Sorice for wearing clothing supporting then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at an early voting Schererville site last fall.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But, somehow, life finds a way: The seafloor was crawling with critters of all shapes and sizes, from centuries-old sponges and cup corals to octopuses, snails, worms, sea spiders, icefish and even a rare giant phantom jellyfish.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
21 Mar. 2025
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Wright crawled out of the driver’s side door of the vehicle, Chargualaf said.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The man was convicted of dragging the girl into an alley on Glenwood Road near E. 38th St. in East Flatbush, Brooklyn and attacking her, cops said.—
Elizabeth Keogh,
New York Daily News,
21 Mar. 2025
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The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and dragging hundreds more back to Gaza as hostages.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Trade professionals and home improvement DIYers often buy heavy-duty handheld vacuums to clean job site messes like sawdust, drywall dust or wood shavings.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
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That messed me up, that messed my friends up, messed my whole family up.—
Benjamin Royer,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The discoloration may linger after the fungus has been removed.—
Sarah Bradley,
Health,
23 Mar. 2025
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The palate is intensely flavored with citrus fruits and a stone-fruit character, balanced by a crisp acidity and a dry, lingering finish.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Charges of price gouging—originally levelled at industrial farmers—were creeping into the sandwich space.—
H. C. Wilentz,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
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Gill-over-the-ground (also known as creeping charlie), purple dead nettle, henbit and chickweed provide sustenance for early bees, beetles, flies and wasps.—
Carl R. Gold,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Further stirring the pot is the appearance of an FBI agent (Jenna Elfman) who starts snooping around into missives about Vines’ death.—
Randy Myers,
The Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2025
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Starlink should not be able to snoop on the details of White House staffers’ usage, thanks to nearly-universal encryption of web site and app traffic.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PCMAG,
18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poke. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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