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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of stroke
Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 4 May 2026
Derry was forced off following an aerial collision with Forest’s Zach Abbott in the penalty area on the stroke of half time at Stamford Bridge.
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 4 May 2026
David Di Sabatino, SPIN, 3 Apr. 2026
Assisted by Godo, Guessand coolly stroked the ball past Jo Hyeon-woo in the South Korea net from inside the box in the 35th minute.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Noun
These are broad strokes, of course — there are more than 1,300 entries on the main Lively-Baldoni docket for a legal battle that’s 18 months old.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 4 May 2026
Derry was forced off following an aerial collision with Forest’s Zach Abbott in the penalty area on the stroke of half time at Stamford Bridge.
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Verb
Elton John doing a handstand on his keyboard, Roger Daltrey stroking a microphone, Ian Anderson making the flute somehow look cool — his pictures became a means of connection for fans.
—David Di Sabatino, SPIN, 3 Apr. 2026
Assisted by Godo, Guessand coolly stroked the ball past Jo Hyeon-woo in the South Korea net from inside the box in the 35th minute.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroke
Noun
-
Shortly after the five-year anniversary of the killing of 13-year-old Adam Toledo by a Chicago police officer, the case was poised to move to a high-profile weekslong trial when a Cook County judge dealt a blow to the Toledo family’s case.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
-
Helping cushion the blow of the supply shock, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have used alternative export routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Grudda pushed Barkow's wheelchair through the zoo, her hands caressing her mother's shoulders or pointing out the animals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Electric Bleu is French food caressed with California seasonality and the occasional pop of Aussie nostalgia.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Not every type of kale needs massaging.—
Zoe Denenberg,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Another potential treatment route the study opens up is using machines to massage cancer cells, imitating the rhythmic beating of the heart.—
Anil Oza,
STAT,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Colorado House and Senate have entered the final two weeks of the 2026 legislative session, and both chambers were set Friday for lengthy floor votes on several hefty bills, including legislation dealing with credit card swipe fees, state labor laws and other issues.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
-
Two non-acetone solvents (propylene carbonate and methyl soyate) in the alcohol-free formula quickly break up color, shimmer, and chunky glitter with each swipe.—
Sarah Felbin,
Allure,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Gonzalez, who was wearing a blue, button-up shirt and khaki pants, patted the back of his attorney, Jude Faccidomo.—
Grethel Aguila,
Sun Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
Gonzalez, who was wearing a blue button up-shirt and khaki pants, patted the back of his attorney, Jude Faccidomo.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Bake for 30 to 35 mins, switching the positions of the trays about halfway through, until the knots are puffed up and golden.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
2 May 2026
-
The gently puffed sleeves offer a unique silhouette, and the knit detailing adds extra flair.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The Yankees need Wells to provide at least some thump in a bottom third of the order that hasn’t been very good.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Moments later, a bass thump sounded in the distance.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sometimes, the crowd at a nearby ballpark will issue a rousing cheer – as if congratulating you on a hike well done.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
When students redeem their award, the restaurant manager will congratulate them and give them a colorful BJ's Awesome Achievement silicone bracelet.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroke. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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