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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
The two rear cameras live in a small module that protrudes less than a millimeter from the back case.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Well down the mountainside a small ledge protruded from the sharp ridge like a bulbous growth.—
Percy Brown,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 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
-
Reigns returned in March to interfere in a cage match between Rollins and Punk.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Simply fill the moat with water to keep unwanted pests from crawling down to the nectar ports.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
12 Apr. 2025
-
And setting your baby down on the ground to crawl around isn’t the cleanest option.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
11 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
-
European leaders have messed it up in the last three years.—
Peter Aitken,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
-
Tackle messes on carpet and hard floors with Shark’s 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop.—
Ali Faccenda,
People.com,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Still, memories of the show lingered in a few significant minds: both Stephen Sondheim and Fred Ebb felt its influence.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
-
And though a few dozen people left the dinner early to catch the end or start of various performances, which included Charli XCX and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, about half of the long table lingered after dessert to continue chatting with their tablemates.—
Ye Fan,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
This creeping groundcover thrives in dappled shade and is a good choice for the front of a perennial border or growing between trees and shrubs in a woodland garden.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Beyond that, temperatures will creep above normal into the weekend and early next week.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Admins with full access can snoop on the communications at any time.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Back at Kayenta Police Station, a new FBI agent, Sylvie Washington, is snooping around.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poke.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poke. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share