STRIKE Synonyms: 471 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

strike 1 of 2

verb

ˈstrīk

Definition of strike next

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

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Relevance

as in to affect

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

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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

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as in to bump

to come into usually forceful contact with something the thump of hailstones striking the cars in the parking lot

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miss
skirt

as in to hit

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

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as in to dismantle

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

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as in to attack

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

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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

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bless

strike

2 of 2

noun

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

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as in attack

the act or action of setting upon with force or violence the first strike was directed at a munitions warehouse

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as in disadvantage

a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success kids born into poverty already have a strike against them

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as in collision

a forceful coming together of two things the strike of a hammer against a nail always has a satisfying sound when you're building something yourself

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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

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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

Examples of strike in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

During an attack, a kamikaze struck and damaged the USS LST-119, killing 10 and wounding 18. —

Tony Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 22 July 2024 The contrast with the frail President Joe Biden was striking. —

Ray Dalio, TIME, 22 July 2024

Noun

Striking dancers threaten opening ceremony The news came amid reports that the opening ceremony had been put in jeopardy by a possible strike action by more than 200 dancers who were due to take part. —

Joseph Ataman, CNN, 23 July 2024 In fact, a labor union representing dancers filed a strike notice just one week before the ceremony, claiming unfair employment conditions. —

Joelle Diderich, WWD, 23 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for strike

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'strike.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.