as in swipes
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 caresses
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 massages
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 strokes
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
Elsewhere, Paula Rego’s two self portraits from 2017 show the artist howling through expressive pastel strokes.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
During that time, Odom suffered 12 strokes and six heart attacks.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 31 Mar. 2026
Continue to hone each edge for about 10 strokes on each side, alternating sides with each pass.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
Wi birdied holes 13 and 15 to get to 14-under, two strokes shy of Cink.
—Jay Paris, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026
Then use your squeegee in straight, overlapping strokes to remove the solution.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images In broad strokes, a fiduciary is one who is legally obligated to act in the best interest of their clients.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
The dramatic construction, however, is solid enough to withstand some of the overly broad strokes of the staging.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2026
For an artisanal twist, look no further than Ezcaray Matisse throw that looks as if Georgia O’Keeffe applied the paint brush strokes herself.
—Kristine Hansen, Architectural Digest, 8 Jan. 2026
Research shows the risk of stroke also rises this time of year, and strokes present differently than heart attacks.
—Allison Aubrey, NPR, 17 Dec. 2025
In the video, the cat eventually curls up in a ball and continues purring as Li strokes her head.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Henry brushes it off as a nightmare; after Bug moves on, Beauchamp strokes the medallion and sings himself to sleep.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 22 Aug. 2025
In the town’s maternity ward, the only functioning facility of its kind for miles, Taisiya strokes Assol, her daughter born Sunday into a world where suddenly the risks of being in Sloviansk have multiplied.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
The two women’s powerful, mysterious bond is sketched in sharp yet subtle dramatic strokes that are all the more thrilling for their breathless rapidity.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
Elsewhere, Paula Rego’s two self portraits from 2017 show the artist howling through expressive pastel strokes.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
During that time, Odom suffered 12 strokes and six heart attacks.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 31 Mar. 2026
Continue to hone each edge for about 10 strokes on each side, alternating sides with each pass.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
Wi birdied holes 13 and 15 to get to 14-under, two strokes shy of Cink.
—Jay Paris, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026
Then use your squeegee in straight, overlapping strokes to remove the solution.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images In broad strokes, a fiduciary is one who is legally obligated to act in the best interest of their clients.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
The dramatic construction, however, is solid enough to withstand some of the overly broad strokes of the staging.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
When Robbie first strokes the plush walls, her Cathy stares with the appropriate mix of awe and terror.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2026
For an artisanal twist, look no further than Ezcaray Matisse throw that looks as if Georgia O’Keeffe applied the paint brush strokes herself.
—Kristine Hansen, Architectural Digest, 8 Jan. 2026
Research shows the risk of stroke also rises this time of year, and strokes present differently than heart attacks.
—Allison Aubrey, NPR, 17 Dec. 2025
In the video, the cat eventually curls up in a ball and continues purring as Li strokes her head.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Henry brushes it off as a nightmare; after Bug moves on, Beauchamp strokes the medallion and sings himself to sleep.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 22 Aug. 2025
In the town’s maternity ward, the only functioning facility of its kind for miles, Taisiya strokes Assol, her daughter born Sunday into a world where suddenly the risks of being in Sloviansk have multiplied.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strokes
Noun
-
Lancôme’s Lash Idôle Curl Goddess Mascara gives you longer, more curled lashes in just a few swipes.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Workplaces have long surveilled their employees, from tracking badge swipes to keyboard strokes.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Also starring Jack Palance and Fritz Lang, the behind-the-scenes drama about the making of a movie begins with Bardot lying nude on a bed as her husband (Michel Piccoli) caresses and praises her body.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Dec. 2025
-
Then Jennifer Tilly’s hand gently caresses Gina Gershon’s face from her cheek down to her chin.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The center also has hydrotherapy chairs where athletes can lie as a jet of water, similar but much stronger than the jets in a jacuzzi, massages them.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Nov. 2025
-
In a viral video shared on Instagram last Sunday under the username @whiskeytoller, the gray kitty can be seen hanging around his brother, Oakley, as his mom massages the injured area, doing his best to show his love and support.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Shesterkin’s first thought was about how big the 6-foot-6 Markström was, but the smaller goalie still managed to land the majority of the blows.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Parks turned into deserts, great skyscrapers leveled by blows from the tails of the monsters, and the entire population threatened in the panic and pestilence that followed the invasion.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
During the performance, the singer kneels down to hand Fox the award and pats his head before continuing on.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Inside the facility, Angela empties her pockets, a guard scans her with a metal-detection wand, pats her down and asks her to spread her legs.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But The Bagel Nut Duo, chocolate croissants, yellow sheet cake, and a bag of Cacio e Pepe puffs to eat your feelings about yet another recall.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The crust puffs up nicely and isn’t as thin and cardboard-y as others, while the white cheese blend and wisp of rosemary remind me of a New York white pie slice.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At under $550, this tablet punches way above its weight!—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
28 Mar. 2026
-
What was the precise number of punches Brown dealt her?—
Pamela Colloff,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner Allure praises this shampoo and conditioner set from Bumble and Bumble that promises to produce thickness.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Allure praises this shampoo and conditioner set from Bumble and Bumble.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Strokes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strokes. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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