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
Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2025
A lot of my jail pick-n-pokes were like self-harm.
—Renea Baek Goddard, Them, 21 Feb. 2025
Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Moments after the image of the two facing each other was uploaded, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele poked fun at their meeting.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poke
Noun
Eco-friendly boutique shops, trendy coffee spots, and cafes selling poke bowls have also popped up throughout the sleepy coastal town.
—Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2025
A lot of my jail pick-n-pokes were like self-harm.
—Renea Baek Goddard, Them, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
The eye poke left Muhammad unable to continue, and the fight was ruled a no contest.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Moments after the image of the two facing each other was uploaded, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele poked fun at their meeting.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poke
Verb
-
Those bulges protruding like alien offspring are potato, dozens of layers stacked and compressed into golden squares with crisp edges.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
When the mannequin’s arm came off in the scout’s hands – bones protruding – ol’ Elmer became a nationwide mystery.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Moreover, the reason politicians may want to interfere in monetary policy is that low interest rates remain a potent, quick method to boost an economy.—
Ana Carolina Garriga,
The Conversation,
18 Apr. 2025
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Reigns returned in March to interfere in a cage match between Rollins and Punk.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Freya crawled on top of her, interrupting the seizure.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Continue to update your site with new, high-quality blogs, and search engines will more frequently crawl your site.—
Tonia Ryan,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The longer the trade war drags on, the more likely Washington and Beijing will find other ways to retaliate beyond economics.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Paleontologists used to wonder if some marine reptiles did the same, awkwardly dragging themselves onto beaches to lay eggs rather than birthing their young at sea like whales do.—
Riley Black,
Smithsonian Magazine,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
So, avoid messing things up with these simple tips for cooking delicious, juicy cheeseburgers on a propane grill.—
Joe Difazio,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
-
European leaders have messed it up in the last three years.—
Peter Aitken,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Managers don’t always appreciate lingering legacies.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Private patios are planted with succulents and shaded by native trees, while the center of the property is anchored by a sunken dipping pool and communal fire pit perfect for lingering evenings and slow conversations.—
Michaela Trimble,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
His eyes dart to her as his thick mustache creeps up to reveal a half smile.—
Rebecca Angel Baer,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2025
-
McGee, Sam, Knight, and Torres creep onto the ship and split into teams of two.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Helping distract the men from the matter at hand was Tim snooping around the Deputy Director’s office, and getting caught.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Snowplow parenting tells me to lean into snooping and send emails to their teachers requesting retakes and extensions.—
Gail Cornwall,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poke. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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