strike 1 of 2

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

Relevance
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
6
7
8

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
Over on bars, the UCLA Bruins couldn’t strike the 9.90 threshold until the last routine. Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025 Volz allegedly shot at one Sheriff's Office car seven or eight times, and one bullet struck deputy Edwin Alexander, Judd added. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
In May 2023, Meyer joined the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike. Catherine Santino, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025 The second Signal chat reportedly occurred around the same time that top Trump officials, including Hegseth, discussed a strike on Houthis over the commercially available app. Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strike
Verb
  • Bell is seen in the footage walking through the classroom as well, court documents show.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • When the fight ended, Taylor walked away with the decision win and as the undisputed light welterweight champ.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In court, the judge cautioned prosecutors to remind Bondi and others that public statements could affect the jury selection process.
    Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
  • In some cases, those products haven’t been affected yet because of existing inventory.
    Jim Wang, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Its 116 hp, 1.6-liter inline-four engine was bumped in displacement to 1.8 liters for the 1994 model year.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Our team noted whether the vacuums were able to navigate around the house without bumping into furniture or getting caught on area rugs.
    Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton hit the game-winning shot, crossing over Antetokounmpo and driving to the basket for a right-handed layup with 1.3 seconds left.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025
  • The western starring Alec Baldwin, who also came up with the story and serves as a producer, was hit by tragedy during production in October 2021 when Baldwin’s prop gun discharged during a rehearsal, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and also injuring director-screenwriter Joel Souza.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • In March, President Trump signed a separate order seeking to dismantle the Education Department.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The initial decision to dismantle the police department led to recall petitions to remove several council members and Vice Mayor Ben Nett from office.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Particularly his ability to do things at such high speed and to help begin attacking moves in his own half.
    Philipp Lahm, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Police are searching for three suspects who were caught on video repeatedly attacking a 61-year-old trans woman outside of her convenience store in Los Angeles’ Westlake neighborhood.
    Abby Monteil, Them., 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Williams possesses huge arms (34 3/8 inches) and a giant wingspan (82 7/8 inches).
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Both India and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons, and any military escalation could lead to catastrophic consequences.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Google saw this firsthand in 2019 when thousands of employees staged a walkout in protest of the company’s deals with fossil fuel firms.
    Joel Carboni, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The university also withheld degrees from 13 students during last year's spring graduation ceremony, prompting a 1,000-person walkout, the Crimson reported.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strike. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on strike

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!