strike 1 of 2

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
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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 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

2
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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

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
Set along the south shore of Lake Superior, the stunning ice caves of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore strike an otherworldly figure. Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026 Nicole Renee Johnson striking poses and lip-syncing. Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
Leading off live batting practice, catcher Ryan Jeffers didn’t waste any time, challenging the first pitch of the day, which originally was called a strike in favor of Taylor Rogers. Dan Hayes, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026 More than 40 strikes killing at least 144 people have taken place in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean since early September, though they were paused toward the end of last year and start of this year. Jared Gans, The Hill, 18 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strike
Verb
  • During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.
    Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Getting down to the beach also requires walking off-piste.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Nearly 10,000 were affected by the downpours in recent days, including more than 3,200 people who were forced to move to emergency shelters or with relatives, Dayanghirang said.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Across the globe, nations were assessing how the high court’s ruling might affect them.
    Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • There’s an argument to be made that the Panthers should tear up Jackson’s contract and bump his pay.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
  • There’s a lot of serendipity and people bumping into one another.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Elsewhere, stories of economic gloom – from galloping inflation to restaurant closures and the knock-on impact of severe tax increases – describe the many ways in which the prolonged war in Ukraine is now hitting Russians hard in the pocket at home.
    Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Finally, Kylie Minogue bags another top 40 hit thanks to the release of Tension Tour/Live 2025 (Mushroom Music) on CD and vinyl.
    Lars Brandle, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The Brennan Center at NYU has compiled pages of federal efforts to undermine voting, from dismantling the agency overseeing election cybersecurity to attacking law firms that protect voting rights.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Pollard's film is especially poignant in showing how short-sighted the country remains, even if the methods of dismantling progress have shifted from political entities to more public-facing groups.
    Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • When drones attacked Saudi Aramco facilities in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia, in 2019, taking out 5% of the country’s oil production, prices spiked but surprisingly returned to normal within a matter of weeks.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
  • The fight marks Strickland’s first bout since he was suspended from the UFC in July 2025 for attacking another fighter while working as a cornerman during an event.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • An assistant under Bradley and Cherundolo, Dos Santos’ first-choice tactics will be to possess the ball, counterpress and defend as far as possible from the LAFC goal, thus dominating games while attacking more through the inside with a 4-2-3-1 formation.
    Josh Gross, Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
  • And China already possesses the world’s-largest fleet of destroyers, frigates and surface combatants.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Some people taking part in recent walkouts and demonstrations have encountered police skirmish lines, arrests.
    City News Service, Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
  • There are potential gray areas — such as whether a large-scale school walkout — which organizers intend to be dramatic — would fall outside this protection because students don’t formally check out, for example.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Strike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strike. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

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