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
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 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
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

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
On an after market analyst call, Hirsch said Starz was exiting a pay two licensing output deal with Universal Filmed Entertainment Group originally struck in 2021 and set to run through to 2028. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2026 Gwen Stefani asked in a voice-over, moments after a 10-minute countdown clock struck zero. Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Noun
The industry itself put that argument to rest in the weeks before the 2023 strike. George Heller, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026 Michael Loria The United Nations called out Israel over its strikes killing healthcare workers, saying the World Health Organization has recorded 151 such attacks resulting in 103 deaths and 230 injuries. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for strike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strike
Verb
  • Vander Luitgaren walked and Ryan Johnson then forced a 2-2 tie with an RBI single.
    Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Guy struck out eight and walked.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Still, these schoolwide systems are not always rolled out correctly or get all teachers to buy in, which can affect their success.
    Stacker, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026
  • Some 61 individual models are affected by the issue, across multiple Mercedes.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • Matatu buses bump with heavy bass over their sound systems, and are painted up with mural montages.
    Emmanuel Igunza, NPR, 7 May 2026
  • In a world of more than eight billion busy people, a few will bump into a neighbor traveling in a distant country, for example.
    Faye Flam, Scientific American, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Sloane, who has increased his fastball velocity by over 10 mph since last spring and now reaches 90, hit the gym hard.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
  • During their semifinal win over Wisconsin, the Bruins hit four home runs and pushed their NCAA record single-season team home run total to 181.
    Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • That’s why Uthmeier has also sought to dismantle government programs and offices that merely collect data that might show whether minorities are being unfairly shut out of things like government contracts.
    Scott Maxwell, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2026
  • It was systematically dismantled by the fierce, courageous resistance of Black mothers, soldiers, and civil rights workers who recognized the lethal power of these performances and put everything on the line to change the course of our history.
    Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • In fact, the Sixers will be better equipped to attack this Knicks flaw if Embiid can return at any point in the series.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 May 2026
  • In one of the evening’s most striking moments, Raman accused Bass and Pratt of working together to attack her.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • The indictment charges each individual with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, officials said.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Officials define crime guns as firearms that have been stolen or are illegally possessed, have been used in a crime, or are suspected of having been used in a crime.
    Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Fed up with dangerous plant conditions and drastic wage cuts, Austin’s Local P-9 went against the advice of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union and, with the help of labor activist Ray Rogers, held a nearly yearlong walkout.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 1 May 2026
  • The protest actions will include school walkouts, prompting schools in several states to cancel classes on May 1.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 1 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Strike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strike. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

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