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 video's relatability struck a chord with pet owners, prompting a flood of comments, and amazingly there were plenty of pet owners willing to share their own improvisational leash moments. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025 Both films share an affinity for Rube Goldberg death traps and a creative grim reaper that can strike any moment. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
Since Donald Trump Returned To White House The big increases from 2023 are not surprising given that that year’s figure was severely impacted by the Hollywood strikes, which virtually halted production including on multiple big-budget co-pros for around six months. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2025 Now that the fact-finding report is public, CTU and the district have entered a 30-day cooling-off period, after which the union can issue a 10-day strike notice. Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for strike 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strike
Verb
  • The defensive midfielder, 36, last featured for Villarreal during the 2023-24 season and looks to have walked away from football by taking up a career in a whole other sport.
    Caoimhe O'Neill, The Athletic, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Once everyone’s got a nice morning buzz on, host Jesse Palmer walks in with the first group date card.
    Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The series is based on an everyday experience affecting people all over the world but exploring a universe packed with personal conflict and complex relationships.
    Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 11 Feb. 2025
  • But those affected in northern Thailand are some of the world’s most vulnerable people who rely on US aid to survive.
    Ivan Watson, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Stecher has been bumped to the No. 7 slot since Klingberg’s addition.
    Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 2 Feb. 2025
  • On the first go, the camera bumped something, and Amer needed to adjust while staying in the emotion of the moment, but the team was able to adjust and pick up the remainder of the shot.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Rowling had hit rock bottom, living on welfare at one point as a single mom.
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Mahmoud then hit two free throws to seal the victory.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • His ability to spin, turn and, above all, run relentlessly towards goal with and without the ball helped utterly dismantle Brighton’s high defensive line inside 45 minutes at Stamford Bridge in September.
    Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
  • But this is one where the process and the outcome meet because the United States has just dismantled in effect the largest foreign assistance organization in the world.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The gamble now is not gambling, protecting their bottom line but leaving themselves open to attack elsewhere.
    George Caulkin, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Luke Walford, 40, was fatally attacked while spearfishing with his family on island off the Central Queensland coast, according to ABC News.
    Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The United States possesses several potential sources of resilience.
    STEVEN LEVITSKY, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Human beings possess powers of emotional reasoning that give us an edge.
    Tara Sonenshine, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The walkout was the latest in a series of protests against a sweeping crackdown on undocumented immigrants that has led to thousands of arrests nationwide, including dozens in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
    Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Netflix staffers also staged a walkout in protest of the special being given a platform on the service.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 31 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near strike

Cite this Entry

“Strike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strike. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

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