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

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in dismantling

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in attacking

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in possessing

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

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

How does the adjective striking differ from other similar words?

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

Privacy Policy Check out our other newsletters Still, for some scientists, the most striking early results involve the brain. —

Lynne Peeples, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026 The brand’s Easter numbers tell a striking story. —

Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026

Verb

Tehran has been striking military bases, oil and gas sites, civilian airports, hotels and ports in a retaliatory campaign that has effectively shut the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway and left the global economy reeling. —

Jiachuan Wu, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026 The similarities are striking, as interior pass-rushers who have versatility across the line. —

Luca Evans, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for striking

Recent Examples of Synonyms for striking

Adjective

That second gear arrives only after 120 KPH, and while the handover is noticeable (though not harsh), your butt dyno will also note that the torque curve is in fact a straight line that doesn’t relent.

— Sean Evans, Robb Report, 24 Mar. 2026
Sometimes these shifts are small, noticeable only to the character experiencing them, as when an impending hurricane heightens the narrator’s receptivity to the minor mysteries of humble objects.

— Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026