1
2
as in blows
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 insults
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
as in pouches
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 protrudes
to extend outward beyond a usual point
saw his head poking through the window
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in interferes
to interest oneself in what is not one's concern
told him to stop poking into other people's business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in crawls
to move or act slowly
just poked around all morning and didn't accomplish much
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pokes
Melissa Fleur Afshar, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
Much of Lame's content pokes fun at life hacks, which, in his view, are baloney.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 Dec. 2024
In a video Bunnie XO posted to Instagram on Christmas Day, the couple playfully pokes fun at Bunnie XO’s seeming lack of baking skills.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 26 Dec. 2024
On a damp and chilly day in mid-November, Ryan Hall pokes his nose into Sanders’ office to say hello.
—Maurice Tamman, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024
This cute sweatshirt pokes fun at the sport’s quirky name with a watercolor print of two pickles playing pickleball.
—Cai Cramer, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
In one scene, his head practically pokes into the rafters of a gymnasium.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Loose threads that fly about vigorously in the wind decorate almost every garment, the inside lining often pokes out in random places, and cutoff sleeves are repositioned as dress pockets.
—Denni Hu, WWD, 9 Oct. 2024
Ellen pokes her head out from behind a door as her friends grow impatient.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN, 6 Oct. 2024
Verb
The post had been liked more than 30,000 times, and Ted has since appeared in by his owner that pokes fun at the candid video becoming an unexpected viral sensation.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
Much of Lame's content pokes fun at life hacks, which, in his view, are baloney.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 Dec. 2024
In a video Bunnie XO posted to Instagram on Christmas Day, the couple playfully pokes fun at Bunnie XO’s seeming lack of baking skills.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 26 Dec. 2024
On a damp and chilly day in mid-November, Ryan Hall pokes his nose into Sanders’ office to say hello.
—Maurice Tamman, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024
This cute sweatshirt pokes fun at the sport’s quirky name with a watercolor print of two pickles playing pickleball.
—Cai Cramer, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
In one scene, his head practically pokes into the rafters of a gymnasium.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Loose threads that fly about vigorously in the wind decorate almost every garment, the inside lining often pokes out in random places, and cutoff sleeves are repositioned as dress pockets.
—Denni Hu, WWD, 9 Oct. 2024
Ellen pokes her head out from behind a door as her friends grow impatient.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN, 6 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Pokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pokes. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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