1
2
as in affects
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in occurs (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
as in collides
to come into usually forceful contact with something
the thump of hailstones striking the cars in the parking lot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in hits
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in dismantles
to take apart
the stagehands struck the sets the morning after the play closed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in attacks
to take sudden, violent action against
a rattlesnake strikes its prey with lightning speed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in possesses
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
1
as in walkouts
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
as in raids
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
the first strike was directed at a munitions warehouse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disadvantages
a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success
kids born into poverty already have a strike against them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in collisions
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in accidents
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
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 strikes
Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
The agency reported that lightning most often strikes people who participate in outdoor recreational activities or work outside.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
As the dominant content provider in live television, when the league strikes a new agreement or makes a change to its programming, it will be felt across the media ecosystem.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
The Administration has shared video of the boat strikes, but has not provided evidence that the people aboard were criminals.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
This one strikes a mid-century chord with its wide face and retro time display, with an atomic dial and silent-sweep movement to maximize quietness.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
His prosecution strikes at questions of political influence, prosecutorial independence, and the Justice Department’s handling of privileged information.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Asus Monitor Deal The Asus TUF Gaming 32-inch monitor strikes the right balance between speed and clarity.
—PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
Yes, California’s entire coast is worthy of praise, but there’s something about an LA beach that strikes a chord.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025
Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
The primary causes of death and injury for these right whales are entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes, per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
—Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, the country has been hit with more than 50,000 drone strikes.
—NPR, 22 Oct. 2025
Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
To date, at least 34 people have been killed in the US strikes – 32 of them in the Caribbean.
—David Culver, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Nationwide strikes and protests over Belgium’s reform plans caused flight disruptions at two major airports and troubles on public transport on Tuesday, with police there using tear gas and a water cannon to try to disperse crowds, The Associated Press reported.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
The strikes will be permitted to resume Friday morning if no settlement is reached between the FNV and the employers.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
Multiple members of Congress, both Republican and Democrat, are growing frustrated with the lack of information and the Administration’s strategy regarding the strikes, a number of sources have told NBC.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
Unless Congress somehow strikes an agreement to fund the government by Thursday, Hjaltalin and millions of other Californians will not get their next month’s SNAP benefits starting next week.
—Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
The agency reported that lightning most often strikes people who participate in outdoor recreational activities or work outside.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
As the dominant content provider in live television, when the league strikes a new agreement or makes a change to its programming, it will be felt across the media ecosystem.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
The Administration has shared video of the boat strikes, but has not provided evidence that the people aboard were criminals.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025
This one strikes a mid-century chord with its wide face and retro time display, with an atomic dial and silent-sweep movement to maximize quietness.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
His prosecution strikes at questions of political influence, prosecutorial independence, and the Justice Department’s handling of privileged information.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Asus Monitor Deal The Asus TUF Gaming 32-inch monitor strikes the right balance between speed and clarity.
—PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
Yes, California’s entire coast is worthy of praise, but there’s something about an LA beach that strikes a chord.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
There can be 30 minutes of small waves before a sneaker wave strikes.
—Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
The primary causes of death and injury for these right whales are entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes, per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
—Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, the country has been hit with more than 50,000 drone strikes.
—NPR, 22 Oct. 2025
Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
To date, at least 34 people have been killed in the US strikes – 32 of them in the Caribbean.
—David Culver, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Nationwide strikes and protests over Belgium’s reform plans caused flight disruptions at two major airports and troubles on public transport on Tuesday, with police there using tear gas and a water cannon to try to disperse crowds, The Associated Press reported.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
The strikes will be permitted to resume Friday morning if no settlement is reached between the FNV and the employers.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
Multiple members of Congress, both Republican and Democrat, are growing frustrated with the lack of information and the Administration’s strategy regarding the strikes, a number of sources have told NBC.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strikes
Verb
-
Below, Paul walks us through it all.—
Margaux Anbouba,
Vogue,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Everyone gathers at one home for appetizers, then the group walks to another for the next course, and so on.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Endometriosis affects about 10% of people who have periods.—
Wendy Wisner,
Health,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The recall affects about 357,000 products in addition to about 3,000 sold in Canada.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
What To Know The new position collides with Colorado’s current sourcing plan.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
And the ego needed to overcome shyness and stage fright collides with the endless rejection that defines the profession.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This week, Megan Thee Stallion enters her lover girl era, Hayley Williams throws it back to Paramore’s After Laughter heyday with a funky love song, and Demi Lovato hits the club or her new not-that-deep studio album.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
-
New Delhi pollution hits five-year high Air pollution in New Delhi hit a five-year high this week, as Diwali fireworks combined with farming fires to shroud the city in a toxic haze.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The apprentice dismantles the hilt almost by instinct and slips the crystal from within.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
-
This year’s forum will open with Post Code Doesn’t Matter, a national regional initiative led by Women in Film & Television Australia that dismantles geographical barriers for screen creatives and champions equitable access to opportunity regardless of location.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Petro attacks Trump while protecting narcos and engaging in the drug business.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 2025
-
With Pervis Estupinan or Davide Bartesaghi holding width on the left and No 9 Santiago Gimenez dragging defenders away, Pulisic attacks the gap between centre-back and full-back, arriving in stride rather than starting wide.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This molecule possesses both a low lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy and a minimal barrier for releasing lithium ions.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Hong Kong possesses the heritage, ecosystem, and connectivity to lead this transformation.—
Sunny Tan,
Sourcing Journal,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Netanyahu brought his characteristic fiery and pugilistic rhetoric to the assembly in New York, a venue he's spoken at many times before, and where diplomatic walkouts in protest at leaders' speeches are a common occurrence.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Last Friday, students across the state staged walkouts calling on lawmakers to take action on guns, including an assault weapons ban and magazine capacity limits.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Strikes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strikes. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share