stroking

NOUN

acclaim

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acclamation applause commendation kudos praise rave recognition

STRONG

PR acknowledgment approbation celebration cheering clapping eulogizing exaltation honor plaudits puff strokes

WEAK

pat on the back pat on the head pumping up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

blame censure criticism disapproval

STRONG

condemnation debasement denunciation humiliation

WEAK

beratement jeering vituperation

NOUN

approval

Synonyms

STRONG

PR acclaim admiration applause appreciation approbation commendation esteem favor liking praise puff regard respect strokes wow

WEAK

pat on the back pat on the head pumping up

Antonyms

STRONG

blame censure criticism disapproval dislike disregard disrespect hate hatred neglect

WEAK

disfavor opposition refusal rejection

NOUN

commendation

Synonyms

STRONGEST

encouragement

STRONG

PR acclamation approbation approval award bouquet credit encomium honor panegyric pay plum points posy puff rave recommendation stroke tribute

WEAK

brownie points good opinion pat on the back pat on the head pumping up shot in the arm

Antonyms

STRONG

condemnation criticism disapproval dishonor disrespect ill repute

WEAK

blame censure reprimand

NOUN

flattery

Synonyms

STRONG

adulation applause approbation blandishment blarney cajolery commendation encomium eulogy eyewash flummery fulsomeness gallantry hokum ingratiation jive mush obsequiousness palaver plaudits puffery snow sycophancy tribute truckling unctuousness

WEAK

bootlicking fawning flattering honeyed words laud pretty speech snow job soft words soft-soap sweet-talk toadyism

Antonyms

STRONG

blame criticism

WEAK

belittlement castigation condemnation denunciation insult

NOUN

massage

Synonyms

STRONG

beating manipulation rubbing

WEAK

back rub chirapsia rolfing rubbing-down

NOUN

rub

Synonyms

STRONG

abrasion attrition brushing caress friction grinding kneading pat polish rasping scouring scraping shine smear smoothing swab swipe wear wipe

NOUN

rubdown

Synonyms

STRONG

manipulation

WEAK

back rub chirapsia kneading

NOUN

tickling

Synonyms

STRONG

caressing titillation

NOUN

touch

Synonyms

STRONGEST

communication contact feeling taste

STRONG

blow brush caress collision contingence crash cuddling embrace feel fondling graze grope handling hit hug impact junction kiss lick manipulation nudge palpation pat peck perception percussion petting push rub rubbing scratch shock tap touching

WEAK

taction

Antonyms

STRONG

failure loss

WEAK

lot

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

McGinn collected Youri Tielemans' long ball and remained cool, sidestepping the 'keeper and stroking the ball into the empty net.

From Barron's • Jan. 3, 2026

Ms. Waller-Bridge was almost as funny as Jean Smart in “Hacks,” which lost the Emmy to Seth Rogen’s wobbly vehicle “The Studio,” another example of the industry stroking itself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 24, 2025

His ways of coping include going for walks along the beach, playing golf or stroking his highland cows.

From BBC • Oct. 25, 2025

Ola Abu Said sits gently stroking the hair of her son Amar.

From BBC • Oct. 25, 2025

Marco lifts his hand to brush a stray curl away from Celia’s face, tucking it behind her ear and stroking her cheek with his fingertips.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

stroking

Example Sentences

Related Words