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
Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 14 Apr. 2025
His turnaround on the greens from Saturday to Sunday was immense — a difference of more than six shots in the strokes gained putting metric.
7.
—Justin Ray, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Bending over backwards and stroking the egos of others becomes a substitute coping strategy for self-confidence.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Noun
Not getting a quality night’s rest of at least seven to eight hours has been linked to the development or worsening of diabetes, depression, heart and kidney disease, high blood pressure, obesity and stroke, experts say.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 14 Apr. 2025
His turnaround on the greens from Saturday to Sunday was immense — a difference of more than six shots in the strokes gained putting metric.
7.
—Justin Ray, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
Katherine Kiefer immediately stands up, beaming, and strokes Aggie's face before having to wipe her eyes, overcome with emotion.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Bending over backwards and stroking the egos of others becomes a substitute coping strategy for self-confidence.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stroke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stroke
Noun
-
The endorsement was a boon to Mr. Cuomo, 67, and a blow to his rivals.—
Nicholas Fandos,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The result is just tit-for-tat subversion and another blow to America’s supposedly nonpartisan system of justice.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
With her usual mastery of dynamics, Laferte starts out sweetly caressing each phrase.—
Jon Pareles,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Breaths that came as strong as fingers caressed me, travelling the length of me, beginning to tease and probe.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Indian women are taught by their mothers and grandmothers to massage oils into their hair from a young age.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Along these meridians are acupressure points that, when massaged in combination with stretching, may release muscular tension, improve circulation, and boost the immune system.—
Kayla Blanton,
Outside Online,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Hold: Strong Shades: 8 Pros: Vegan and cruelty free, easy to use, buildable Cons: Takes a couple swipes to get more pigment out of it Your brow gel questions, answered Is clear or tinted brow gel better?—
Danielle Sinay,
Glamour,
17 Apr. 2025
-
As President Donald Trump takes fast-changing swipes at U.S. trade relationships around the world, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is challenging the president’s authority and taking steps to curb economic blowback.—
Ali Martin,
Christian Science Monitor,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Standing in the pen behind the bull, Glass makes kissing noises and pats the animal’s rump for encouragement, while Scalisi stands ready, hand on the chute’s lever.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Two of the tougher-looking recruits behind me thought this was funny, and one patted me on the back.—
Graydon Carter,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
On top of her shoulders, the garment was puffed, adding height and dimension to her look.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
The pivotal early locomotive—a travelling steam engine rather than one fixed to the ground—puffed through the Stockton and Darlington Railway’s Georgian landscape.—
Carlton Reid,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Rami Sinno is crouched beside a filing cabinet, wrestling a beach-ball sized disc out of a box, when a dull thump echoes around his laboratory.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Then the silence was broken by the loud thump of Olive’s .38/40.—
Horace R. Hinkley,
Outdoor Life,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Residents Dan Lee was among those who congratulated House as well as village clerk and trustee candidates who ran on the Clean House slate.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
-
After the 49ers won the AFC Championship against the Detroit Lions in January 2024, Mindy congratulated her husband in an Instagram reel that featured a montage of herself and their kids on the field.—
Emily Krauser,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stroke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stroke. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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