strike 1 of 2

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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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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

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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

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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

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
Vasquez was throwing first-pitch strikes 54% of the time his first seven starts. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2025 Markets rejoiced this week over news that the Trump administration, after six weeks of maximalist rhetoric, had struck a preliminary deal with China to lower tariff rates between the two countries. Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Noun
Topline Rail engineers working for New Jersey Transit went on strike early Friday, suspending service for one of the busiest train systems in the country and impacting approximately a hundred thousand riders each day, marking the first major strike to affect the train system in four decades. Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025 Ten of her relatives, including her pregnant sister, were killed by the same Israeli strike. Alex Ritman, Variety, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for strike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strike
Verb
  • When his remarks concluded, the pope walked down the steps at the front of the stage in the hall and shook hands with a line of Vatican officials, exchanging a few words with each person.
    Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • Marek Reichman, Aston’s chief creative officer and executive vice president, walked us through the Vantage Roadster’s admittedly familiar sheet metal.
    Jonny Lieberman, Robb Report, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • The Trump administration’s recent shift toward U.S. isolationism regarding global affairs — and particularly those more acutely affecting Europe, such as the war in Ukraine — piled pressure on the U.K. and European Union to agree on a deal.
    Holly Ellyatt,Silvia Amaro, CNBC, 19 May 2025
  • That glaring absence of both people and money will affect both WHO's ability to address health crises that don't care about borders -– as well as the ability of the U.S. to collaborate with the rest of the world to solve them, say global health specialists interviewed by NPR.
    Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • The overall contract minimum has been bumped to $65,000 with an additional $1,000 increase to all minimums in Year 2 and Year 3.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 7 May 2025
  • Columnist Sean Keller never mentioned that the Stars’ second goal came off the side of an Avalanche skate as the puck bumped it and sent it in sideways to the net.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • Prosecutors say Read deliberately hit O’Keefe, 46, outside the home a fellow cop and left him for dead in a drunken rage.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • Here’s what has changed: The Chiefs separated their project from the Royals’ plans for a new ballpark that asked voters to hit a moving target in April 2024.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Some of them have already been effectively dismantled by DOGE, like the U.S. Institute of Peace, the site of a dramatic daylong standoff between USIP staffers and representatives of the cost-cutting initiative claiming to be new leadership.
    Stephen Fowler, NPR, 17 May 2025
  • The Celtics, even without perennial All-NBA first-teamer Jayson Tatum, dismantled the Knicks’ first unit, especially to begin the second half, when Boston ran away with victory.
    Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • May 8 India fires attack drones into Pakistan, killing at least two civilians, the Pakistani military says.
    Riazat Butt, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025
  • An adult son had attacked his mother with a machete and ran to a nearby house, according to police.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Today, Rotterdam possesses one of Europe’s most robust migrant populations.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • The re-tasking of U.S. naval ships assigned to the western Pacific theater comes as China—now possessing the world's largest navy by hull count, with more than 370 vessels—expands its military reach and presence in the region, attempting to challenge American naval dominance.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • The walkout by members of Local 788 and Local 766 comes amid soaring profits for Lockheed, which made $24 billion over the past three years and paid its CEO $66 million.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • Students at a middle school in Germany staged a walkout in February over anti-DEI measures that was timed to coincide with Hegseth visiting the country.
    Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 13 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strike. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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