Stroke

/stɹəʊk/ · noun

Meaning

An act of hitting; a blow, a hit..

Definitions by Sense

1. An act of hitting; a blow, a hit.
2. A movement similar to that of hitting.
3. An act causing hurt or death, especially when seen as divine punishment.
4. A damaging occurrence, especially if sudden; a blow, a calamity.
5. An amount of work; specifically, a large amount of business or work.
6. A powerful or sudden effort by which something is done or produced; also, something accomplished by such an effort; an achievement, a feat.
7. A single movement of a paintbrush, chisel, pen, pencil, or similar implement; a line or mark made by such an implement.
8. A distinctive expression in a written composition; a touch.

Example Sentences

a stroke on the chin

Hee paſſed the vvhole length of Italie vvithout reſiſtance, […] He likevviſe entred and vvonne (in effect) the vvhole Kingdome of Naples it ſelfe, vvithout ſtriking ſtroke.

But becauſe amongſt many ſtroaks, vvhich our eyes, eares, and other organs receive from external bodies, the predominant onely is ſenſible; therefore the light of the Sun being predominant, vve are not affected vvith the action of the ſtarrs.

[A]fter the impulſive force, vvhich drove them upvvard, grevv languid, nor vvas there any other ſtroak, vvhich might toſſe them that vvay, the Atoms themſelves, endeavouring to go dovvn again, met vvith obſacles from others, vvhereupon they flevv about vvith greater activity, […]

With many a wanton stroke / Her feet disperse the powd'ry snow / That rises up like smoke.

the stroke of death

The stroke of God, Aduersyte I hyght; / I pluke downe kynge, prynce, lorde, and knyght, / I rushe at them rughly, and make them ly full lowe, / And in theyr moste truste i make them ouerthrowe.

Sheele make you ſhrinke as I did, vvith a ſtroke / But of her eye Tigranes.

Synonyms for stroke

Antonyms for stroke

Related Words

Word Forms

• strokes
• stroak
• stroking
• stroked
• no-table-tags
• glossary
• stroke
• strokest
• strokedst
• stroketh
• -

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions