poke 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of pokenext
1
as in jab
a quick thrust please stop giving the cat pokes while it's trying to sleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

poke

2 of 3

noun (2)

ˈpōk How to pronounce poke (audio)
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

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poke

3 of 3

verb

1
as in to protrude
to extend outward beyond a usual point saw his head poking through the window

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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 linger
to move or act slowly just poked around all morning and didn't accomplish much

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to drag
to move slowly they were just poking along home

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of poke
Noun
Collection centers emphasize that the needle poke feels like nothing more than a brief pinch. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Most of it is bigeye and yellowfin tuna, which is sold fresh as high-grade fish used in poke and sushi. — NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
But Vicki immediately goes past Meredith Marks (disengaging) to Amanda Frances (opening her laptop and working), even as the others try to earn their paychecks by poking at her. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026 Milk Stage of Kernels Check the kernels on an ear by poking it with your fingernail. — Danielle Ernest, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for poke
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poke
  1. jab
  2. blow
  3. insult
  4. pouch
  5. protrude
  6. interfere
  7. linger
  8. drag
Noun
  • Even the cutscene snippet shown revealed nothing, and was just a brief jab at Rockstar about someone using a VPN.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Curt Cignetti does not shy away from conflict, as seen at Big Ten Media Days with his SEC jabs, and now with his scheduling comments about Notre Dame.
    — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of jab
Noun
  • Ferran Torres Torres was not the first-choice striker for Spain at the World Cup, but that did not stop him from landing the decisive blow after his team-mates had spent 106 minutes dominating Argentina without a breakthrough.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • But the federal agency that has required companies to collect and report demographic workforce data since 1966 is now working to end that practice, a move some critics say would be a huge blow to civil rights enforcement.
    — Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of blow
Noun
  • Whether that’s a compliment or an insult depends on your perspective.
    — Omar Kelly August 17, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The Fantasy Football Draft is that magical stretch of hours where friends, enemies and division nemesis all cram into one room to sling insults with the confidence of seasoned analysts.
    — Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of insult
Noun
  • On the other hand, young people’s use of nicotine pouches – small pouches that are placed between the lip and gum and are available in different flavors and strengths – has risen over the past five years.
    — Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Hairy-nosed wombat births are hard to spot, as after about a 30-day pregnancy, the joey crawls into its mother’s pouch.
    — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of pouch
Verb
  • Tropical Hibiscus Tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), as the name suggests, is native to tropical climates in Asia and produces dramatic, vibrant flowers that can grow up to 6 inches in diameter with protruding stamens.
    — Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Akhenaten, who may have been the boy-king’s father, was depicted in artwork as having wide hips and a protruding belly, which stood out from portraits of other Egyptian royalty.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of protrude
Verb
  • Skip a formal meal in favor of easy-to-grab snacks that won’t interfere too much with puzzle pieces.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Other kids can, too, without their parents interfering on Facebook groups.
    — Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of interfere
Verb
  • Rain has already begun to move across the Big Island and is expected to continue through at least Monday, with lingering rain still impacting some of the islands possibly on Tuesday.
    — Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • If any lingering question of home-court advantage persisted, it was made crystal clear in the final 30 seconds who had the biggest backing, as Barclays erupted in celebration of the Liberty’s game-winning plays down the stretch.
    — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of linger
Verb
  • Pleitez would later tell police she was being confronted by Ahumada and others, who were assaulting her 20-year-old companion and attempting to drag him from the car.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • An agreement could provide momentum for talks to renew the USMCA North American trade pact; US-Mexico talks have dragged on, and the White House has publicly opposed renewing the transcontinental deal.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of drag

Phrases Containing poke

Browse Nearby Words

poisons
poke
poke (around)
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Cite this Entry

“Poke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poke. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on poke

Nglish: Translation of poke for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about poke

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