1
a
: to hit (someone or something) in a forceful way
The ship struck an iceberg.
The car struck the tree.
The bullet struck him in the leg.
The cyclist was struck by a car.
The tree was struck by lightning.
He fell and his head struck the pavement.
I could hear the rain striking the rooftop.
b
: to cause (something) to hit something in a forceful way
I struck [=banged, bumped] my knee against the leg of the table.
She struck the cymbals together.
c
: to hit (someone or something) with your hand, a weapon, etc.
The killer struck him with a blunt object.
She accidentally struck another player in the face.
2
: to attack someone or something suddenly
The snake was about to strike.
Police say that the killer may strike again.
—often + atThe snake struck at the mouse.
He struck at her with a knife.
—often used figurativelyHe hurt her feelings by striking at [=attacking, criticizing] her personal beliefs.
The proposed law strikes at the foundations of our democracy.
3
not used in progressive tenses
: to affect (someone or something) suddenly in a bad way : to cause damage, harm, illness, etc., to (someone or something)
The flu strikes millions of people each year. [=millions of people get sick with the flu each year]
A hurricane struck the island.
The city has been struck by a powerful earthquake.
—often used as (be) strickenHe was stricken with a high fever.
The hurricane is expected to strike tomorrow.
When disaster strikes, will you be prepared?
—often used figurativelyThe home team struck [=scored] first on the opening drive.
4
not used in progressive tenses
: to cause (someone) to be in a certain condition suddenly
—usually used as (be) struck
They were struck speechless with surprise.
He was struck deaf/blind [=he became deaf/blind] at an early age.
I was struck dumb [=dumbstruck] by the news.
5
a
: to cause someone to feel (a strong emotion) suddenly
—often + in or into
Their war cries struck terror in (the hearts of) their enemies.
Her words struck fear into the hearts of her listeners.
b
: to affect (someone) with a strong emotion
He was struck with horror at the sight. = The sight struck him with horror.
6
: to cause (something) to happen or exist : to do or achieve (something)
He needs to strike a better balance between his work life and his family life. [=he needs to spend less time at work and more time with his family]
They struck a blow for freedom and against tyranny. [=they did something that helped freedom and opposed tyranny]
Fate has struck a heavy blow against us. = Fate has struck us a heavy blow.
7
not used in progressive tenses
: to be thought of by (someone) suddenly : to occur to (someone)
It suddenly struck me [=I realized suddenly] that I would never see her again.
The answer just struck me.
It strikes me [=I realize] that there is a larger issue at stake.
8
not used in progressive tenses
: to cause (someone) to think about someone or something in a particular way
What really struck me was their enthusiasm. [=I especially noticed their enthusiasm]
It strikes me [=it surprises me] that so few of them were willing to help.
—often + asHer comment struck me as odd. [=her comment seemed odd to me]
She strikes us as a very qualified candidate. [=we think she is a very qualified candidate]
9
of a group of workers
: to stop work in order to force an employer to agree to demands : to refuse to work until your employer does what you want
The teachers are threatening to strike. [=go on strike]
striking workers
—often + forThe workers are striking for an increase in pay.
10
of a clock
: to make the time known by making a sound
The clock struck as they entered the room.
The clock struck one.
11
: to cause (a match) to start burning by rubbing it against a surface
She struck a match and lit the candle.
12
: to make (an agreement)
The two parties have finally struck a bargain/deal.
13
: to remove (something) from (something)
She struck the song from the album at the last minute.
He struck [=deleted] the sentence from the paragraph.
The clause has been stricken from the contract.
14
not used in progressive tenses
: to find or discover (something) especially by digging
They are hoping to strike oil/gold.
15
: to place yourself in (a particular position, posture, etc.)
She struck [=assumed, took on] a dramatic pose.
He struck a defensive attitude.
16
: to play (a note, chord, etc.) on a musical instrument by using your fingers on keys or strings
Fans cheered when he struck the song's opening chords.
—often used figurativelyShe struck the right note/tone with her speech. [=she said things in a way that appealed to her audience]
17
always followed by an adverb or preposition
: to begin to walk or go in a particular direction
—usually + off or out
He struck off through the woods.
The men struck out for/toward their campsite when they saw the storm clouds moving in.
18
: to make (a coin, medal, etc.) by pressing an image into a piece of metal
The coins were struck in 1789.
plural strikes
1
: a period of time when workers stop work in order to force an employer to agree to their demands
a teachers' strike
a strike by airline pilots
The workers are on strike.
Workers are threatening to go (out) on strike. = (Brit) Workers are threatening to come out on strike.
Workers threatened to take strike action.
2
: a military attack
The allies have launched several strikes.
an air strike [=an attack by aircraft]
3
: the act of hitting something with force
The forest fire was caused by a lightning strike. [=was caused when something on the ground was hit/struck by lightning]
4
a
baseball
: a pitch that passes through a certain area over home plate without being hit and that counts against the batter
The first pitch was a ball but the next two pitches were strikes.
That's strike two. One more strike and he's out.
b
US
: a perfectly thrown ball or pass
The quarterback threw a strike to the receiver.
5
chiefly US
: something that makes someone or something less likely to be accepted, approved, successful, etc.
Her poor attendance was a strike against her. [=her poor attendance counted against her]
He has a criminal record, so that's one strike against him.
I want the job, but I'm young and I don't have much experience, so I feel like I already have two strikes against me.
6
bowling
: the achievement of knocking down all 10 pins with the first ball
She made/bowled a strike.
7
: a discovery of something valuable (such as oil)
—usually singular
an oil strike
Cite this Entry
“Strike.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/strike. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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