stoke

verb

ˈstōk How to pronounce stoke (audio)
stoked; stoking
Synonyms of stoke

transitive verb

1
: to poke or stir up (a fire, flames, etc.) : supply with fuel
2
: to feed abundantly
3
: to increase the activity, intensity, or amount of
… limiting the number of cars available … will help stoke demand for the car.—Keith Naughton

intransitive verb

: to stir up or tend a fire (as in a furnace) : supply a furnace with fuel

Synonyms of stoke

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Examples of stoke in a Sentence

The engineer stoked the coals. The new ad campaign has helped to stoke sales. Poor revenue figures have stoked concerns about possible layoffs.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Data center developments have stoked anger across the state in recent years as residents worry about resource consumption as well as noise and others issues related to having large-scale tech facilities near residential areas. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026 Daily tanker traffic through the critical waterway appeared to have slowed on Friday, after the series of attacks stoked concerns about the recovery of global oil supplies and shipping, and highlighted the fragility of the interim truce. — Reuters, NBC news, 10 July 2026 But the dramatic start to the week has stoked fears that the royal family may be past the point of reconciliation. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 10 July 2026 Across America charms — all four of my rides last week ended in audience applause — by simply being a calming, relaxed journey that stokes our sense of adventure. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for stoke

Word History

Etymology

Dutch stoken; akin to Middle Dutch stuken to push

First Known Use

1683, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stoke was in 1683

Rhymes for stoke

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Browse Nearby Words

stoiter
stoke
stoked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stoke. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stoke

verb
ˈstōk How to pronounce stoke (audio)
stoked; stoking
1
: to stir up or tend (as a fire)
2
: to supply (as a furnace) with fuel
3
: to feed plentifully
stoker noun

Medical Definition

stoke

noun
ˈstōk How to pronounce stoke (audio)
: the cgs unit of kinematic viscosity being that of a fluid which has a viscosity of one poise and a density of one gram per cubic centimeter

More from Merriam-Webster on stoke

Nglish: Translation of stoke for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stoke

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