STRIKES Synonyms: 471 Similar and Opposite Words

strikes 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of strike

as in walks

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

as in affects

to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response we were struck by the willingness of total strangers to go out of their way to help us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in occurs (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

as in collides

to come into usually forceful contact with something the thump of hailstones striking the cars in the parking lot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in hits

to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner the driver of the car behind me applied his brakes too late and struck my car from the rear

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in dismantles

to take apart the stagehands struck the sets the morning after the play closed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in attacks

to take sudden, violent action against a rattlesnake strikes its prey with lightning speed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in possesses

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

blesses

strikes

2 of 2

noun

plural of strike

as in walkouts

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

as in assaults

the act or action of setting upon with force or violence the first strike was directed at a munitions warehouse

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in disadvantages

a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success kids born into poverty already have a strike against them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in collisions

a forceful coming together of two things the strike of a hammer against a nail always has a satisfying sound when you're building something yourself

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in accidents

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

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 strikes

Verb

Images emerging from Tel Aviv today show damage across the Israeli city, following Iranian ballistic missile strikes early this morning. —

Max Burman, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026 Buehler took the mound in the third having allowed just a single and having thrown 36 pitches, 22 of them strikes. —

Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026 That was it for Webb, who threw 92 pitches — 61 of them strikes — in giving up one run in seven innings. —

Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026 Throw it on for a travel day, wear it exploring your destination with sneakers, or slip into sandals and use it as a breezy beach cover-up when the mood strikes. —

Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2026 When the mood strikes for a hair refresh, even brunettes have a sudden thirst for bursts of lightened hair. —

Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026 Israel strikes Beirut, other parts of Lebanon Israel launched another wave of airstrikes overnight in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has offices. —

Npr Staff, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026 The offense comes out and strikes quick, two drives in a row. —

Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026 Israel strikes Iranian nuclear facilities Bahreini’s announcement came just hours after Iranian state media said two nuclear facilities had come under attack. —

Farnoush Amiri, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026

Noun

The right-handed Bird got ahead of pinch-hitter Graham Pauley with two quick strikes. —

Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2026 Tehran has continued strikes on economic and infrastructure targets in the neighboring Gulf region, including Kuwait's oil headquarters. —

Anniek Bao, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026 On the same day, Waldron reached 94-95 mph with the fastball and threw seven consecutive first-pitch strikes. —

Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026 Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS. —

Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2026 And Iran has continued to retaliate, striking an oil refinery in Iraq, launching strikes across the Gulf from Bahrain to Kuwait, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and more missile barrages in Israel. —

CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026 Amazon Web Services facilities in the UAE and Bahrain were hit in earlier drone strikes. —

Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2026 And just hours later, Iran reported overnight strikes by Israel on its nuclear facilities and steel factories. —

ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026 Witnesses reported more strikes in Tehran on Sunday night. —

Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strikes

Verb

That’s a question as Baiamonte walks away thinking of the words of his father.

— Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
Francisco Lindor has already drawn 10 walks this season, and Robert has drawn nine.

— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026