Stroke — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈstrōk/

Meaning & Definition of Stroke

Stroke (verb)

  1. to rub gently in one direction; also, caress
  2. to flatter or pay attention to in a manner designed to reassure or persuade
  3. to mark with a short line
  4. to cancel by drawing a line through
  5. to set the stroke for (a rowing crew); also, to set the stroke for the crew of (a rowing boat)

Stroke (noun)

  1. the act of striking; especially, a blow with a weapon or implement
  2. a single unbroken movement; especially, one of a series of repeated or to-and-fro movements
  3. a controlled swing intended to hit a ball or shuttlecock; also, a striking of the ball

Stroke (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: bang, bash, bat, beat, belt, biff, blow, bop, box, buffet, bust, chop, clap, clip, clout, crack, cuff, dab, douse (British), fillip, hack, haymaker, hit, hook, knock, larrup (dialect), lash, lick, pelt, pick, plump, poke, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slug, smack, smash, sock, spank, stinger, stripe, swat, swipe, switch, thud, thump, thwack, wallop, welt, whack, wham, whop
    related: counter, counterblow, counterpunch, counterstroke, body blow, hand, kick, knee, left, one-two, rabbit punch, right, right-hander, roundhouse, shiver, sidewinder, sucker punch, swing, uppercut, cruncher, kayo, knockdown, knockout, KO, bastinado, battering, beating, bludgeoning, clobbering, cudgeling, drubbing, hammering, lambasting, licking, pasting, pounding, pummeling, thrashing, flogging, walloping, whip, whipping

Stroke (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: caress, fondle, gentle, love, pat, pet
    related: bill, canoodle, cuddle, neck, nestle, nose, nuzzle, snuggle, spoon, feel up, paw, cradle, embrace, enfold, hug, bounce, dandle, knead, massage, baby, coddle, indulge, mollycoddle, pamper, spoil

  2. to praise too much

    "a politician with a special gift for stroking fat-cat donors"

    similar: adulate, belaud, blarney, butter up, flatter, hero-worship, honey, massage, overpraise, puff, soft-soap
    related: blandish, cajole, coax, sweet-talk, wheedle, fawn, kowtow, suck (up to), toady, idolize, worship, eulogize, extol, laud, praise, applaud, commend, compliment, congratulate, felicitate, drool, gush, slaver, slobber, endear, ingratiate, court, romance, woo
    near: bad-mouth, belittle, decry, depreciate, disparage, put down

Related Entry: Stroke (out) (verb)

Stroke (out) is a different word from Stroke. The synonyms below are for stroke (out), not for stroke.

  1. to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it

    "if you make a mistake on the form, just stroke it out"

    similar: blue-pencil, cancel, cross (out), dele, delete, edit (out), elide, kill, scratch (out), strike (out), x (out)
    related: blot out, efface, eradicate, erase, expunge, obliterate, root (out), rub out, wipe out, bleep, blip, clip, cut, excise, remove, bowdlerize, censor, clean (up), expurgate, launder, redact, red-pencil, abbreviate, crop, shorten, black out, repress, silence, suppress

Related Entry: Stroke of luck (phrase)

Stroke of luck is a different word from Stroke. The synonyms below are for stroke of luck, not for stroke.

  1. an unexpected benefit or advantage resulting from the uncertain course of events

    "It was a complete stroke of luck that he ended up moving to the same city as his long lost twin."

    similar: break, fluke, strike
    related: accident, chance, circumstance, hap, happenchance, happenstance, hazard, luck

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Stroke

The most common words with a similar meaning to Stroke:

British: douse
Dialect: larrup
bang, bash, bat, beat, belt, biff, blow, bop, box, buffet, bust, chop, clap, clip, clout, crack, cuff, dab, fillip, hack, haymaker, hit, hook, knock, lash, lick, pelt, pick, plump, poke, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slug, smack, smash, sock, spank

Related Words for Stroke

counter, counterblow, counterpunch, counterstroke, body blow, hand, kick, knee, left, one-two, rabbit punch, right, right-hander, roundhouse, shiver, sidewinder, sucker punch, swing, uppercut, cruncher, kayo, knockdown, knockout, KO, bastinado, battering, beating, bludgeoning, clobbering, cudgeling

Near Antonyms of Stroke

bad-mouth, belittle, decry, depreciate, disparage, put down

Word Forms of Stroke

Inflections: stroked, stroking

Derived words: stroker (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Stroke

Middle English, from Old English strācian; akin to Old High German strīhhan to stroke strike

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Stroke

Words & Phrases Containing Stroke

stroke out, stroke play, at a stroke, ground stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke, trudgen stroke

Frequently Asked Questions about Stroke

What does "Stroke" mean?

"Stroke" means to rub gently in one direction; also, caress. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to rub gently in one direction; also, caress. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Stroke"?

Other words for "Stroke" include bang, bash, bat, beat, belt, biff, blow and bop. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Stroke" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Stroke"?

There are 167 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Stroke". Common alternatives include bang, bash, bat, beat, belt, biff, blow, bop, box and buffet.

How do you use "Stroke" in a sentence?

Examples of "Stroke" in a sentence: "all it took was one hard stroke to knock the ball out of the tree"; "the young mother gently stroked the sleeping child's brow and then leaned over and kissed him"; "a politician with a special gift for stroking fat-cat donors".

Is "Stroke" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Stroke" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Stroke" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Stroke" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Stroke"?

"Stroke" is pronounced /ˈstrōk/.

What is the origin of the word "Stroke"?

"Stroke" comes from Middle English, from Old English strācian; akin to Old High German strīhhan to stroke strike. First known use: before 12th century.