strike 1 of 5

Definition of strikenext
1
as in to walk
to refuse to work in order to force an employer to meet demands the union is calling for its members to strike until the mining company agrees to meet safety standards

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
3
as in to occur (to)
to enter the mind of it struck her later that no one at the bank had asked for identification

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
5
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8
as in to possess
to cast a spell on the only way that she's going to get a man is if she strikes one

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

strike

2 of 5

noun

1
as in walkout
a work stoppage by a body of workers intended to force an employer to meet their demands the nurses will go on strike tomorrow unless they're finally given a pay raise

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
4
5
as in accident
an unexpected benefit or advantage resulting from the uncertain course of events she's made one strike after another since she began speculating in real estate

Synonyms & Similar Words

strike (into)

3 of 5

verb (2)

strike (out)

4 of 5

verb (3)

strike out

5 of 5

verb (4)

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb strike differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of strike are affect, impress, influence, sway, and touch. While all these words mean "to produce or have an effect upon," strike, similar to but weaker than impress, may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation.

struck by the solemnity of the occasion

Where would affect be a reasonable alternative to strike?

The meanings of affect and strike largely overlap; however, affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction.

the sight affected her to tears

When can impress be used instead of strike?

While the synonyms impress and strike are close in meaning, impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect.

only one of the plans impressed him

When might influence be a better fit than strike?

The words influence and strike are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior).

our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing

In what contexts can sway take the place of strike?

The synonyms sway and strike are sometimes interchangeable, but sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action.

politicians who are swayed by popular opinion

When is touch a more appropriate choice than strike?

The words touch and strike can be used in similar contexts, but touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming.

plants touched by frost
his emotions were touched by her distress

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of strike
Verb
Police also linked Sanchez-Munoz to a June 11 shooting in Kansas City, Kansas, where another vehicle was struck by gunfire. Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026 Search and rescue crews are pulling survivors from the rubble after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela less than a minutes apart last night. John Otis, NPR, 25 June 2026
Noun
Each robot must independently interpret ball position and goalkeeper movement before committing to a strike, making split-second corrections based on sensor feedback. Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 24 June 2026 Mbappe is coming for that World Cup all-time scoring record, netting his second long-range strike in as many group games and tapping in from Ousmane Dembele’s pass either side of a lengthy weather delay against Iraq. Liam Twomey, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Verb
Clayton Beeter finished for his fifth save, striking out Ben Williamson with the tying run on second base to end it. ABC News, 20 June 2026 As part of a three-man job on the mound to limit No. 6 Xaverian despite heavy traffic on the base paths throughout, Carrera struck out the final out with runners on first and second to help the No. 2 Shamrocks hold on for a 6-3 win. Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for strike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strike
Verb
  • Johnson allowed one walk with career highs of eight strikeouts and six innings, while throwing 90 pitches.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
  • Manny Machado hit a first pitch, walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning, sending the Padres to a 7-6 win and the Braves to their ninth loss in the last 12 games.
    Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • In addition to the autopsy, Burris said Martin’s brain was immediately sent to be examined posthumously for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which can affect regions of the brain involved with regulating behavior and emotions and is linked to contact sports such as football.
    HANNAH FINGERHUT, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
  • The federal legislation is expected to result in $100 billion in cuts that would affect California’s most vulnerable residents.
    Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • The vehicle was first detected traveling through Washington Heights, then flagged a second time about 10 minutes later crossing the University Heights Bridge.
    Jenna DeAngelis, CBS News, 22 June 2026
  • Since formally leaving the EU, those same potatoes must now pass customs checks and health inspections before being allowed to even cross the border into France.
    Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Apple bumped its prices across much of its product lineup today, in some cases adding hundreds of dollars to the cost of a new Macintosh.
    Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 25 June 2026
  • In this case, safe meant a track big enough for two riders to race without bumping into each other.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Israeli strikes hit several towns in southern Lebanon on Saturday morning local time, killing at least five people, Lebanese state-run National News Agency reported, despite Israel and Hezbollah renewing their truce Friday.
    Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
  • Temperatures are expected to soar on June 22 in parts of Oregon and Washington, possibly hitting 100 degrees in Portland and at least 90 degrees in Seattle.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • Cuba’s Communist Party has approved 176 free‑market measures, which are described as the most sweeping economic overhaul since the revolution, dismantling pillars of state control and decentralizing a system battered by crisis.
    Andrea Rodríguez, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
  • According to Kim, the theme is not about respectfully preserving Korean aesthetics, but about dismantling, disrupting, and wearing them again.
    Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • His pace routinely bothered Sweden, including on one impressive solo run in the first half that produced a quality attacking scenario.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026
  • The video then shows the woman throwing Martinez to the ground, grabbing her by the hair and repeatedly attacking her as bystanders try to step in and help.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Count the Nuggets, who possess picks 26 and 49, in the expensive teams group.
    Tony East, Forbes.com, 24 June 2026
  • Ghana will be a very different test, with the likes of Antoine Semenyo – who was actually born in London – possessing the ability to ask real questions of the England defenders who looked a little shaky at times in the first game.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 23 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Strike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strike. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

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