strike 1 of 5

verb (1)

ˈstrīk How to pronounce strike (audio)
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

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2
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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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

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4
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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5
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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6
as in to dismantle
to take apart the stagehands struck the sets the morning after the play closed

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7
as in to attack
to take sudden, violent action against a rattlesnake strikes its prey with lightning speed

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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

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strike

2 of 5

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

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2
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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3
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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4
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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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

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strike (into)

3 of 5

verb (2)

as in to begin
to take the first step in (a process or course of action) before you actually strike into your speech, you should introduce yourself

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strike (out)

4 of 5

verb (3)

as in to delete
to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it struck out all references to indecent matters

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strike out

5 of 5

verb (4)

as in to collapse
to be unsuccessful their joint venture in Las Vegas struck out, and they hurriedly dissolved the partnership

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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
On death row, Mahdi stabbed a guard and struck another worker with a concrete block. — Landon Mion, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025 The change of approach relative to that taken by President Biden became striking after Trump berated Zelensky on Feb. 28 in the Oval Office. — Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
Minnesota’s first goal was a stunning and unstoppable strike from Hassani Dotson in the 15th minute. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 16 Mar. 2025 Waltz said the strikes in Yemen on Saturday were also a message to Iran. — Barak Ravid, Axios, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
Right-hander Tylor Megill tossed four scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk, striking out five. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2025 Taylor struck out nine in four scoreless innings over three outings this spring. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strike
  1. walkout
  2. attack
  3. disadvantage
  4. collision
  5. accident
  6. raid
  7. handicap
  8. jolt
Noun
  • And this latest installment was indeed packed with such moments — particularly with one divisive contestant — including an emotional walkout, social media receipts and the return of one fan-favorite llama.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The grim accounts about factors that led the fatal shooting are a large focus, too – from the camera crew’s walkout over safety concerns to the failures of inexperienced armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who was sentenced to 18 months in prison last year.
    — Sandra Gonzalez, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of walkout
Noun
  • Grimes said that, in the experience of KnowBe4, social engineering is involved in 70% - 90% of all successful hacking attacks.
    — Davey Winder, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Although the direct hit damage from his Repulsor Blast is being decreased, the attack's spell field damage is being bolstered to make up for it.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of attack
Noun
  • If Eichorn resigned, Republicans would have a two-seat disadvantage.
    — Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 19 Mar. 2025
  • This outdated thinking is becoming a competitive disadvantage for media companies, sponsors, and investors who fail to recognize the shift in consumer preferences.
    — Lindsey Darvin, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of disadvantage
Noun
  • Homendy said Thursday that the board was recommending that the owners of 68 U.S. bridges in 19 states assess how vulnerable their bridges are to vessel collisions.
    — Sam Janesch, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2025
  • On March 14, the Arizona Department of Public Safety revealed in a press release that two people had died after a collision involving 22 vehicles, including 13 passenger vehicles on Interstate I40.
    — Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of collision
Noun
  • The golden retriever didn't chew up anything during puppyhood and had no recurring accidents.
    — Kelli Bender, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
  • What if Gemma was at fault for the accident and seriously harmed or killed another person?
    — Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of accident
Noun
  • Drone surge The January double-tap attack was part of a wider wave of drone raids, reportedly the biggest of the 37-month wider war for the Ukrainians.
    — David Axe, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Rather than each episode being filled with heart-pounding action, the series establishes itself with a frantic, stressful raid on Jamie’s house and his subsequent arrest, then dissolves into a crime show that’s much more meticulous and robust beyond the thrills at the top.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of raid
Noun
  • In 1936, famed Olympic runner Jesse Owens raced a horse in a 100-yard dash and won thanks in part to a 40-yard handicap).
    — Emily Barone, Time, 19 July 2017
  • LNK classes have done everything from installing handicap doors at Redwood to creating a Healthy Newborn site for Transitions that serves mothers going through addiction recovery.
    — Brent Cooper, Cincinnati.com, 17 July 2017
Definition of handicap
Noun
  • The agency cited not only enrollment declines, but the jolts of losing federal pandemic aid and rising costs, particularly for fire insurance and electric power, as factors.
    — Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Even index funds and ETFs felt the jolt since Tesla is a significant component of major indices — though diversified funds softened the blow compared to holding Tesla alone.
    — Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of jolt

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Cite this Entry

“Strike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strike. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on strike

Nglish: Translation of strike for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about strike

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