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striking

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verb

present participle of strike
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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

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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
One of the book’s most striking images is also the simplest. Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025 Wheat, on the other hand, was fined $5,722 for striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing. Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
The debris and spacecraft in LEO can travel at hypersonic speeds, meaning even a paint-chip-sized fragment striking a satellite head-on could penetrate fuel tanks, tear through structures, or compromise batteries and life-support systems. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025 What is striking is how unessential to either of these purposes democracy promotion seems to be. Javier Corrales, Time, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for striking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for striking
Adjective
  • Bush Hager's most noticeable symptoms include mood swings and trouble sleeping.
    Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Despite their absence from television, fans have observed that both Kassidy and Quen have been working on their physiques, showing noticeable changes.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • With its investments in AI infrastructure and obvious strengths on the power front, this is a country that is building out data centers and positioning itself as a hub for AI, entertainment, sports, finance, high-tech manufacturing and more.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The analyst pointed to Azure, Microsoft's cloud computing platform, as an obvious artificial intelligence beneficiary.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The documents included disciplinary information and reportedly showed that Sherrill was barred from walking at her 1994 graduation after refusing to inform on classmates involved in a cheating scandal.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • But that left him skating off the ice and holding his head, walking through the Capitals’ bench and down the tunnel toward the dressing room.
    Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The turmoil affecting air travel prompted Delta Air Lines on Thursday to demand that Congress reopen the government immediately.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Constipation can occur with iron supplements by affecting gut bacteria and pulling stool-softening water from your colon.
    Emmanuella Ogbonna, Health, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Coach was kind of bumping along.
    Evan Clark, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The two companies both described the layoffs as permanent, noted the workers were not represented by a union, and stated that no affected employees have bumping rights over workers who have less seniority.
    George Avalos, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Gausman had retired 17 straight Dodger batters until the seventh inning, when Smith yet again got the best of him, hitting a solo home run to break the stale mate.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The singing voices behind KPop Demon Hunters' beloved girl group HUNTR/X will be hitting the stage to perform live in concert for the first time.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The storm brought with it one symbolic bit of dismantling.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2025
  • His work dismantling an illicit money-changing operation in Miami even earned him a public rebuke in 2010 from Hugo Chávez, Maduro’s predecessor.
    Joshua Goodman, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In addition, nine other suspects were arrested for allegedly attacking law enforcement officers over the summer during immigration enforcement operations in and around Los Angeles.
    Louis Casiano , Matt Finn, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
  • In June 2023, Smith was diagnosed with osteomyelitis, a potentially rare and life-threatening bone infection that was attacking her lower vertebrae.
    Alyssa Davis, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Striking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/striking. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.

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