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
What’s different at Guard and Grace is Guard, who’s Hawaiian-born, has traveled widely and isn’t afraid to put Pop Rocks into a poke or craft a country ham tasting paired with pimento cheese. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2026 There are also some poke bowls and hot entrées like teriyaki broiled eel over rice on the menu. — Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
My physical study, on the floor, poking at what was there in the open field of the air, led to newfound levels of learning to process, in poems on the page, where my initial feelings of hunger came from. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026 In a recent interview with OutKick Dropkick, Hefner was already poking the bear in hopes of getting eyes on his event. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 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
  • With blistering satirical slants and a steady mix of acidic jabs at middle-class life, Darko should be boffo among the teen and young adults segment as well as those viewers still plugged into a sophomoric self-identity.
    — Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Trump also defended himself against Maher’s jabs at his low approval ratings by wildly mischaracterizing CNN’s reporting.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of jab
Noun
  • Just when Kansas City appeared to be building momentum toward a Sunday night comeback, kicker Harrison Butker missed his second attempt of the night, dealing another blow to the Chiefs’ hopes.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Rutgers starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan left after sustaining a blow to the head 6 minutes, 25 seconds into the first quarter and didn’t return.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of blow
Noun
  • But the Rodriguez and other members of the Cuban delegation began banging the desks, calling for a point of order and shouting insults at Waltz.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The examination showed that Parker and Smith had exchanged dozens of texts, which include obscenities and insults, in the days before Parker's disappearance.
    — News Editor, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of insult
Noun
  • Although Irwin has not yet left the pouch completely, he can still be seen exploring outside near his mom, the KC Zoo said.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
  • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nicotine pouches contain nicotine, flavorings and other ingredients, with nicotine absorbed through the gums and lining of the mouth.
    — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of pouch
Verb
  • Once fished to the brink of extinction globally, sand tiger sharks, that iconic aquarium shark with a jaw of protruding, jagged teeth that only a mother could love, have been increasing in the Boston Harbor over the last decade.
    — Asia London Palomba, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The face is a glossy black plastic with the exterior lenses slightly protruding, keeping the front from looking like a single flat surface.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of protrude
Verb
  • Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro also warned Canada last month against interfering in the midterms.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Experts worry federal law enforcement could potentially use those false claims — or others generated this year — as pretext to try to seize ballots during the counting period, or interfere in the process in some other way.
    — Miles Parks, NPR, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of interfere
Verb
  • Coming out of Saturday's showdown in Austin, those questions are going to linger over the next five to six weeks.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Moton lingered on the turf for a while, punching the turf in pain and dread, before a cart came out to transport him to the locker room.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of linger
Verb
  • Supporters — business groups and affordable housing advocates — say CEQA lawsuits drag projects out for years, jacking up your rent and mortgage.
    — Kiara Adams, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Related Stories The allegation relates to an incident in which Brand allegedly grabbed the woman by the arm and tried to drag her into a toilet.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 27 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on poke

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about poke

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