strike 1 of 2

Definition of strikenext
1
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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2
3
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

4
5
6
7
8
as in to possess
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

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

2
3
4
5
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

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
But the administration has also used the threat of new levies to strike deals with major companies — like Pfizer, Eli Lilly and Bristol Myers Squibb — over the last year, with promises of lower prices for new drugs. ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026 He was struck with 11 bullets from enemy AK-47 fire along with grenade fragments from a nearby explosion. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
Global leaders have been scrambling to contain the rising cost of oil and gasoline since the start of the Iran war, which took a record amount of oil off the market when tankers full of crude were stranded in the Persian Gulf and military strikes damaged refineries, pipelines and export terminals. Cathy Bussewitz, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026 Any strike near such locations could impact large numbers of civilians, raising concerns about collateral damage in already tense urban environments. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strike
Verb
  • Even a little boy walked up to her and asked to give her a hug.
    Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Nawrocki allowed an unearned run and struck out 12 while walking 2.
    Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The proportion of rye to wheat flour can also vary widely, affecting both texture and nutrient content.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Spinosad, although organically certified, can be toxic to bees, and pyrethrins—derived from plants—can affect a wide range of insects.
    Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Then Buttered Popcorn dethroned it in 1998, bumping the cherry classic from its perch.
    Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
  • In practice, though, the list is largely made up of people who bump into each other at the Century Association or the Center for Architecture; even firms that originated abroad, like Snøhetta (Norway) and BIG (Denmark), have essentially become local.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Five pitchers combined for nine strikeouts and allowed just hits for Andrew (4-3).
    Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Among them was Linda Parker, the president and CEO of Women In Distress of Broward County, who said Metayer’s death hit close to home.
    Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Democrats quickly challenged his voting executive order in court and, despite his courtroom presence, the justices seemed skeptical of his bid to dismantle the Constitution’s provisions providing birthright citizenship.
    Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The Bruins dismantled South Carolina 77-62 in a November game at Pauley Pavilion, launching themselves on a path toward the program’s first NCAA Final Four appearance last March, when their season ended with an 85-51 national semifinal loss to UConn.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • At that point, Cupe allegedly became agitated and attacked the bystander with a box cutter, slashing him across the chest.
    Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Trump has also threatened to attack Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub.
    Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In Paris, the Museum of the Prefecture of Police possesses just a guillotine blade, while the closest thing on view at the Carnavalet Museum is a two-foot-tall model guillotine and a pair of dangly brass guillotine earrings.
    Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
  • The robotic characters break free from their restaurant resting place to cause chaos in town, while the villainous Marionette pops up to possess victims for her own nefarious purposes.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • District 218 students who missed classes due to their participation in the walkout received unexcused absences for those classes.
    Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
  • His Venice entry triggered multiple walkouts in Sonoma, though, especially during a scene featuring the always solid Oscar Isaac getting tortured.
    Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 29 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Strike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strike. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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