strike 1 of 2

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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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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

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strike

2 of 2

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

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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

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
The Senate struck a provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that would have prohibited states from regulating AI for the next decade. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 July 2025 By the time the Leo New Moon strikes on July 24th, your inner philosopher is lit. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 30 June 2025
Noun
Its patch pockets, warm white coloring and solaro piping adhere to tradition, while its slouchy cotton-hemp blend and convertible collar strike a more contemporary note. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 30 June 2025 After strikes on Iran’s nuclear materials, no doubt the world will listen more closely when Trump speaks. Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for strike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strike
Verb
  • The union hopes to walk away from the Indy meeting with more confidence that a deal will be done before the deadline.
    Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 11 July 2025
  • Unfortunately, many of those motivated buyers are walking away from the summer empty-handed because the supply of star players was extraordinarily scarce.
    Harman Dayal, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Nearly 3,000 properties nationwide are affected — and a staggering number are right here in South Florida, with Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties at ground zero.
    Peter S. Sachs, Sun Sentinel, 6 July 2025
  • Intimate partner violence affects as many as 10 million Americans every year.
    Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • The child tax credit is bumped from $2,000 to $2,200, though millions of lower income families will still be unable to get the full credit.
    Andrew J. Campa Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2025
  • Bass bumped from speakers and a live band played to about a dozen people dancing.
    Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • The Padres took a 5-4 lead in the seventh inning when Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a one-out single, moved to third on a single by Luis Arraez and scored on a sacrifice fly by Machado.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
  • While hitting 350 homers is a feat in itself, Judge reached the mark more quickly than former slugger Mark McGwire.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Be open to what needs to be dismantled in order to build something stronger and more aligned with your true path in the future.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
  • As this year’s proxy voting season approached, the business community wondered: Would investors vote to dismantle or defend DEI?
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • But one cost of that strong-arm approach quickly became apparent when Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina announced his retirement right after after Trump attacked him for opposing the bill, creating an open seat that will become Democrats’ best Senate opportunity in 2026.
    Ronald Brownstein, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
  • The main target of the attack was Kyiv and the surrounding region, with Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, Kirovohrad and Kharkiv regions also attacked, the president said.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • In 1940, the federal government enacted The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act prohibiting people from hunting, selling or possessing an eagle ‒ in effort to prevent further population decline.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 July 2025
  • One of the great mysteries of my family life is what possessed two teenage sisters at the turn of the 20th century to leave home in Rzeszow, Poland, and head for a new life in America.
    Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • Students also staged a walkout in October calling for Reed to resign or be fired.
    Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
  • Later in the show, the team discussed skipping practice or staging a walkout to put pressure on Cowboys management, but ultimately decided against it, McLean told TIME.com.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strike. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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