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 linger
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
Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Try out common milkweed, poke milkweed, or swamp milkweed, which is ideal for poorly-draining gardens.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 5 May 2026
Sean Emery, Oc Register, 1 June 2026
Connecticut’s Brittney Griner (rib injury) returned from a four-game absence but left the game for good late in the first half after she was apparently poked in the eye.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for poke
Noun
Lee was raised on Oahu, where her family dined on fresh poke at least once a week.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Try out common milkweed, poke milkweed, or swamp milkweed, which is ideal for poorly-draining gardens.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 5 May 2026
Verb
Before police took him into custody, Tran slit his wrists, cut his neck and poked the blade into his stomach, but all of the wounds were superficial.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 1 June 2026
Connecticut’s Brittney Griner (rib injury) returned from a four-game absence but left the game for good late in the first half after she was apparently poked in the eye.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for poke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poke
Noun
-
For the past 40 years, Boise State football’s blue turf has drawn jokes and jabs, and there has been that urban myth about how all manner of birds were mistaking the field for a giant pond, resulting in their crashing-landing like a quarterback taking a big hit from a charging linebacker.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
2 June 2026
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But while Josh is a magnet for easy jabs about NPR tote bags and Sierra Club memberships, there’s almost nothing in his storylines to suggest an aptitude for or even interest in the work of actual journalism.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Shutting down Logan would be another blow to the Lincoln area after the closures of Lincoln College and Lincoln Christian University, and other businesses and facilities over the years.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
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Earlier in the day, the Marlins were dealt another blow to their rotation when it was announced that top prospect Thomas White is expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a left shoulder capsular sprain last month.—
Tyler Carmona,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
An unusual insult in Grease came to be thanks to a flub on an actor's part.—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 June 2026
-
And, to add insult to Cardinals’ fans’ injury, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning of that same game, Jordan Walker hit a ball nearly 100-mph into the gap in left-center.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The teller had taken her hand and filled it from his pouch with dry seedpods, closing her fingers over them.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
Moore recently stepped out for a formal event holding a small handwoven pouch that looks so much like this clutch from Quince.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Elsewhere on the trophy, there are the original rules to soccer, from 1863, which include a proscription on players having nails, iron plates, or gutta-percha—a Malaysian rubberlike material, now used in root canals—protruding from their boots.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
The cups also feature a more angular design, visibly protruding rather than gradually curving.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The game was not yet codified, and teachers let students organize games without interfering in their play.—
Thomas Adam,
The Conversation,
29 May 2026
-
Bliss made a furious comeback before Michin interfered, leading to a four-woman brawl on the outside.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
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But behind the courteous gesture, there are lingering concerns of how overtourism might impact Ishigaki’s rich natural environment and potentially overwhelm its infrastructure, concerns that extend to other neighboring remote islands.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
-
Many guests and patrons are regulars, lingering over martinis as a fireplace crackles in the background.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The weakness spread across the sector, dragging the VanEck Semiconductor ETF down more than 1%, while Arm Holdings lost over 4% and Micron Technology slid nearly 8%.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
-
Before long, security surrounded the former fan favorite and dragged him out of the arena in handcuffs as stunned fans watched.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Poke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poke. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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