1
2
as in blow
a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument
you'd better shut up if you don't want a poke on the nose
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
the constantly bickering husband and wife seem unable to let five minutes pass without an exchange of gratuitous pokes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
chiefly Southern & Midland
as in pouch
a container made of a flexible material (as paper or plastic)
the old warning against buying a pig in a poke
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point
saw his head poking through the window
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to interfere
to interest oneself in what is not one's concern
told him to stop poking into other people's business
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to crawl
to move or act slowly
just poked around all morning and didn't accomplish much
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of poke
Adam Kepecs, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2025
And with two goals over the final 13:11 of regulation, thanks to Aidan Thompson’s rebound and Jared Wright’s 5-hole poke, the Pios darn near gave everybody in maroon a carDUvascular episode late.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2025
Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 31 May 2025
As a member of Connecticut Sun in 2024, Carrington gave Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark a black eye after poking her during a game in the first round of the playoffs in September.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for poke
Noun
In the first, mice repeatedly poked their noses into a food port, with progressively more pokes required to earn each food pellet.
—Adam Kepecs, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2025
And with two goals over the final 13:11 of regulation, thanks to Aidan Thompson’s rebound and Jared Wright’s 5-hole poke, the Pios darn near gave everybody in maroon a carDUvascular episode late.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
Once it’s set, retrieve the glass, poke a small hole in the center of the foam with a straw or bar spoon and slowly pour the remainder of the cocktail into the center hole until the foam head lifts above the rim of the glass.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 31 May 2025
As a member of Connecticut Sun in 2024, Carrington gave Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark a black eye after poking her during a game in the first round of the playoffs in September.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for poke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poke
Verb
-
The animals have small eyes that slightly protrude from their heads, which are smooth and flat, according to the study.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
-
Books fly off the shelves, a protruding nail vanishes and then reappears, a Ouija board spells an incomplete message, and there’s definitely something on the third floor.—
Gabino Iglesias,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Verb
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As Cena went for an AA on Rhodes on the announce table, Uso was able to interfere and hit Cena with a spear.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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Such a coalition would then need to get China not to interfere, in part by making clear that its goal is the end of the war, not the end of Russia.—
DMYTRO KULEBA,
Foreign Affairs,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
The curious little creatures interact with you (sometimes crawling on your body) while practicing your pose, adding an extra stress-reducing and unforgettable element to your usual yoga routine.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
13 June 2025
-
He’s cut off from family and beset by crawling spiders at night, Brindley said.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2025
Verb
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But by the late 1970s, as negotiations over a treaty dragged on, Congress grew receptive to industry lobbyists seeking legislation that would protect their investments in mining sites beyond U.S. maritime jurisdiction.—
Time,
Time,
17 June 2025
-
What were the final few days like? Exhausting and dragging on.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
Trim overhanging limbs and relocate furniture to avoid popular bird perches that drop messes onto your patio.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 June 2025
-
And to fill that space, fill it beautifully, not take up that space and mess it up in a sense.—
Danielle Pointdujour,
Essence,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
Overcast skies and lingering wet weather isn’t expected to alter the event.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2025
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That didn't happen early Friday, however, perhaps signaling investors' lingering worries over the high level of U.S. debt.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
Storing Everything In Cardboard Boxes Insects easily creep into cardboard boxes, which also don't keep moisture out.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
6 June 2025
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And when the cops creep in with a caravan of backup, Emery figures out that Joe’s new medallion has a tracker on the back of it.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Others described judges attempting to snoop or surveil them.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
9 June 2025
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Jason’s friend and a fellow associate of Brian’s, Cal feels safest hanging at home, snooping on Coast Guard comms with a few beers and some private browser tabs open.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poke. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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