stoke
word
Definition
To add fuel to a fire to make it burn better; also used to mean increasing or encouraging an emotion, feeling, or situation.
Usage & Nuances
'Stoke' is slightly formal when used literally with fires, but more common figuratively: 'stoke fear', 'stoke excitement'. Usually positive with enthusiasm, but negative with fear, anger, or conflict. Not to be confused with 'stroke' (to caress).
Spanish: avivar - alimentar (fuego/emociones)Portuguese (BR): alimentar - atiçar (fogo/em emoções)Portuguese (PT): alimentar - atiçar (fogo/em emoções)Chinese (Simplified): 添（火）- 激起（情感）Chinese (Traditional): 添（火）- 激起（情感）Hindi: ईंधन डालना - बढ़ावा देना (भावनाएँ)Arabic: يُذكي - يزيد (النار/المشاعر)Bengali: উস্কে দেওয়া - আগুনে জ্বালানি দেওয়াRussian: разжигать - подогреватьJapanese: あおる - 火に薪をくべるVietnamese: kích động - thêm nhiên liệu (vào lửa)Korean: 부추기다 - 불을 지피다Turkish: körüklemek - ateşi harlamakUrdu: بھڑکانا - آگ کو ہوا دیناIndonesian: mengobarkan - menambah bahan bakar (ke api)
Example Sentences
He used a stick to stoke the campfire.
basic
The workers took turns to stoke the furnace.
basic
Don’t stoke the argument—let’s just calm down.
natural
A good coach knows how to stoke team spirit before a big match.
natural
Sometimes, media reports can stoke public fear.
basic
Politicians tried to stoke anger among voters before the election.
natural