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 earthquake struck at a depth of 6 miles, with its epicenter about 2 miles southeast of Pacifica. Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2025 In the show, Gein strikes Henry with a piece of wood, then drags his body into the woods and stages a brush fire to explain Henry's death. Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
In western Ivano-Frankivsk and western-central Vinnytsia region, Russian strikes hit civilian and critical infrastructure facilities, local officials said. David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2025 Some in Gaza City reported a notable easing of Israeli strikes Saturday, though hospital officials said at least 22 people were killed, including women and children. Sam Mednick, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strike
Verb
  • What started as a walking tour of the historic Chickasaw neighborhood in 2012, during his years as president of the local neighborhood association, has since expanded to cover the other nine neighborhoods, after Taylor was awarded a fellowship through the Filson Historical Society in 2023.
    Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
  • One partner is ready to walk down the aisle, while the other is dragging their feet.
    Peter White, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The debilitating long-term illness affects millions worldwide, including more than 400,000 people in the UK, but has long lacked a definitive diagnostic tool.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Workers deemed non-essential are often furloughed, affecting the National Parks Service, NASA, and the Environmental Protection Agency, among others.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Létrange first bumped into Girbaud in 2002 while crossing Mexico City in his Land Rover.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
  • If the Senators are committed to Giroux in a third-line role, Amadio could always be bumped to a fourth-line spot to the right of Lars Eller and Nick Cousins.
    Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The ball popped up in the air and Bolton was there to grab it, except he was hit by teammate Drue Tranquill.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Hikers hit Goat Trail Hill 'n Dale Hiking Club will hike Thursday along the Goat Trail to Steel Creek on the Buffalo National River.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Unions of federal workers including the American Federation of Government Employees; the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; and the AFL-CIO have filed a lawsuit arguing Trump doesn't have the authority to lay off workers and dismantle agencies during a shutdown.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The transformation of milk into yogurt is achieved through a tandem effort where enzymes from both the ant and the microbes collaborate to dismantle milk proteins.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In the hands of editor Richard Mettler, some of those fragments serve montages that interlace how the tribes prepare to defend themselves with the way Jalabzeen readies himself to attack.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Having attacked the edge of the six-yard box, Rodon has to back-pedal and meet the ball, again, wide of the goal.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The current rule allows each team a chance to possess the ball even if the first team scores a touchdown during the extra period, which is 10 minutes long.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The other team then gets a chance to possess the ball under the same set of circumstances.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Rancorous debate in the GOTW meeting room as the panel nearly came to blows, with Broncos-Eagles supporters threatening a walkout as Bucs-Seahawks advocates were kicking over chairs.
    Greg Cote October 2, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Netanyahu brought his characteristic fiery and pugilistic rhetoric to the assembly in New York, a venue he's spoken at many times before, and where diplomatic walkouts in protest at leaders' speeches are a common occurrence.
    Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strike. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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