STRIKING Synonyms: 468 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'striking' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of striking are conspicuous , noticeable , outstanding , prominent , remarkable , and salient . While all these words mean "attracting notice or attention," striking applies to something that impresses itself powerfully and deeply upon the observer's mind or vision. // the region's striking poverty

Q: When is 'conspicuous' a more appropriate choice than 'striking'?

The meanings of conspicuous and striking largely overlap; however, conspicuous applies to something that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind. // conspicuous bureaucratic waste

Q: When would 'noticeable' be a good substitute for 'striking'?

The synonyms noticeable and striking are sometimes interchangeable, but noticeable applies to something unlikely to escape observation. // a piano recital with no noticeable errors

Q: When could 'outstanding' be used to replace 'striking'?

While the synonyms outstanding and striking are close in meaning, outstanding applies to something that rises above and excels others of the same kind. // honored for her outstanding contributions to science

Q: When might 'prominent' be a better fit than 'striking'?

The words prominent and striking can be used in similar contexts, but prominent applies to something commanding notice by standing out from its surroundings or background. // a doctor who occupies a prominent position in the town

Q: When is it sensible to use 'remarkable' instead of 'striking'?

In some situations, the words remarkable and striking are roughly equivalent. However, remarkable applies to something so extraordinary or exceptional as to invite comment. // a film of remarkable intelligence and wit

Q: Where would 'salient' be a reasonable alternative to 'striking'?

The words salient and striking are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, salient applies to something of significance that merits the attention given it. // the salient points of the speech

striking 1 of 2

adjective

ˈstrī-kiŋ

Definition of striking next

as in noticeable

likely to attract attention you'd be amazed what a striking difference new wallpaper can make in a room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in obvious

very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad several striking contradictions in her argument

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

striking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of strike

as in walking

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

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as in affecting

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in occurring (to)

to enter the mind of it struck her later that no one at the bank had asked for identification

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in bumping

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

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as in hitting

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

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as in dismantling

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in attacking

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

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as in possessing

to cast a spell on the only way that she's going to get a man is if she strikes one

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

blessing

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective striking differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of striking are conspicuous, noticeable, outstanding, prominent, remarkable, and salient. While all these words mean "attracting notice or attention," striking applies to something that impresses itself powerfully and deeply upon the observer's mind or vision.

the region's striking poverty

When is conspicuous a more appropriate choice than striking?

The meanings of conspicuous and striking largely overlap; however, conspicuous applies to something that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind.

conspicuous bureaucratic waste

When would noticeable be a good substitute for striking?

The synonyms noticeable and striking are sometimes interchangeable, but noticeable applies to something unlikely to escape observation.

a piano recital with no noticeable errors

When could outstanding be used to replace striking?

While the synonyms outstanding and striking are close in meaning, outstanding applies to something that rises above and excels others of the same kind.

honored for her outstanding contributions to science

When might prominent be a better fit than striking?

The words prominent and striking can be used in similar contexts, but prominent applies to something commanding notice by standing out from its surroundings or background.

a doctor who occupies a prominent position in the town

When is it sensible to use remarkable instead of striking?

In some situations, the words remarkable and striking are roughly equivalent. However, remarkable applies to something so extraordinary or exceptional as to invite comment.

a film of remarkable intelligence and wit

Where would salient be a reasonable alternative to striking?

The words salient and striking are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, salient applies to something of significance that merits the attention given it.

the salient points of the speech

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 striking

Adjective

Earlier that morning, McKendrick had met with Shonda Rhimes, a striking coincidence that wasn’t lost on her but took some explaining in conversation. —

Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 18 June 2026 More striking, that share barely moves no matter the hour — premium video holds flat at 7 to 8 percent at every part of the day. —

Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2026

Verb

The president has especially targeted offshore wind, striking a series of multimillion-dollar deals with energy developers to walk away from offshore wind leases in federal waters and instead invest in domestic fossil fuel and geothermal projects. —

Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026 Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on Moscow since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, striking a major oil refinery in the Russian capital and sending thick black smoke over parts of the city, according to Russian officials and multiple reports. —

Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for striking

Recent Examples of Synonyms for striking

Adjective

The first slowdowns and real noticeable uptick in traffic came on I-95 south.

— Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 16 June 2026
Warm weather can make the surge even more noticeable.

— Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026