hunger strike

noun

: refusal (as by a prisoner) to eat enough to sustain life
hunger striker noun

Examples of hunger strike in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In mid-October, his Cuban cellmate, Roberto Mosquera del Peral, began a monthlong hunger strike. Sarah Stillman, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025 Mamdani helped lead hunger strikes by the drivers and Schumer worked with him to secure a deal to restructure medallion owners' debts. CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025 Kaufman told IndieWire the cell phones with which their subjects and collaborators spoke to them over six years — including a hunger strike to draw attention to the mismanagement of the Alabama prison system — were essential to the project. Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 12 Nov. 2025 In a more conventional political drama, Daiva’s hunger strike would light a fire of popular protest which ousts the Soviet forces. John Hopewell, Variety, 12 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hunger strike

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hunger strike was in 1889

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Cite this Entry

“Hunger strike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hunger%20strike. Accessed 25 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

hunger strike

noun
: refusal (as by a prisoner) to eat enough to stay alive

More from Merriam-Webster on hunger strike

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