striking 1 of 2

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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
His latest exhibition, Inward Cartography: Self of Selves, now on view at Library Street Collective in Detroit, is a striking meditation on the emotional and spiritual terrain of identity. Okla Jones, Essence, 12 Apr. 2025 Told in real time and in one location, the harrowing film plays out with palpable intensity and striking detail. Ew Staff, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
What’s striking about this moment is that companies aren’t waiting for a financial crisis to force these conversations. Eric Steele, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024 Variations aside, most dugouts look roughly the same to the untrained eye, which is striking, since their makers had vastly different resources and tools. Jacqueline Kehoe, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for striking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for striking
Adjective
  • Use the dome light and flashers to make your vehicle more noticeable.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • But within weeks, the change in sentiment was noticeable.
    Pradeep Prasana Kanagaraj, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Still, Strider was frustrated for obvious reasons and searching for answers.
    David O'Brien, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Hague lamented the rush to reach a deal in the absence of any obvious pressure on Russia but with an intense focus on obtaining for the U.S. the mineral wealth of Ukraine.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This helps your healthcare provider check for infections, kidney problems, or other issues affecting your bladder and urinary tract.
    Sayaka Blickenderfer, PhD, Health, 14 Mar. 2025
  • This helps your healthcare provider check for infections, kidney problems, or other issues affecting your bladder and urinary tract.
    Sayaka Blickenderfer, PhD, Health, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Then there was an inactive Georgia player getting too excited on Arian Smith’s 63-yard catch and run and bumping into a side judge; Smart said normally that would result in a warning, but this Big 12 crew went for the 15-yard penalty.
    Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
  • The Heat were readying to inbound a pass in the backcourt while up by four points in the final 36 seconds when Thompson and Herro began bumping each other.
    Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • But instead of stopping, Burnett tried to drive away, hitting a tow truck in the process, police said.
    Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The first season of Severance was a kettle on a flame, hitting its boiling point around Episode 7, and then just boiling over for the final three episodes.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • By dismantling these programs, health disparities will continue to soar, not just for racial minorities but for essentially all Americans.
    Omer Awan, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Hitler wasted no time dismantling democratic institutions.
    Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities recently launched a campaign attacking the governor for allowing the state’s overreliance on property taxes to worsen and for seeking to slash summer work programs that assist the state’s troubled youths.
    Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The early glimpses show a player with real potential in the attacking third, capable of thriving in transition and striking well at goal.
    Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Fass shared a story about pairing younger, digitally fluent employees, steady middle managers, and older employees possessing crystallized wisdom and intelligence.
    Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Kim has been charged with multiple crimes ranging from destruction of property, arson and possessing a fire device, according to jail records.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Striking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/striking. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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