striking

1 of 2

adjective

strik·​ing ˈstrī-kiŋ How to pronounce striking (audio)
Synonyms of strikingnext
: attracting attention or notice through unusual or conspicuous qualities
a place of striking beauty
strikingly adverb

striking

2 of 2

present participle of strike entry 1

Synonyms of striking

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Adjective

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noticeable, remarkable, prominent, outstanding, conspicuous, salient, striking mean attracting notice or attention.

noticeable applies to something unlikely to escape observation.

a piano recital with no noticeable errors

remarkable applies to something so extraordinary or exceptional as to invite comment.

a film of remarkable intelligence and wit

prominent applies to something commanding notice by standing out from its surroundings or background.

a doctor who occupies a prominent position in the town

outstanding applies to something that rises above and excels others of the same kind.

honored for her outstanding contributions to science

conspicuous applies to something that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind.

conspicuous bureaucratic waste

salient applies to something of significance that merits the attention given it.

the salient points of the speech

striking applies to something that impresses itself powerfully and deeply upon the observer's mind or vision.

the region's striking poverty

Examples of striking in a Sentence

Adjective The poverty of the city is striking. There is a striking resemblance between the girls. an actress known for her striking good looks
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
The grassroots efforts, underpinned by various voting and democracy nonprofits, amount to a striking push by American voters to help uphold the nation’s election system in the face of possible threats from its own government. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026 Where to stay For an all-inclusive stay with daily adventures led by local guides, book at Explora Rapa Nui, an architecturally striking hotel about 15 minutes outside Hanga Roa. — Mark Johanson, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026 The downstairs kitchen serves a helping of maximalism with its striking red marble center island and coordinating stove backsplash. — Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2026 During the company’s third-quarter earnings call in October, Musk made a striking comment while musing about how the company aimed to deploy 10 GW of compute (on Earth) in 2027. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for striking

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1725, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of striking was in 1725

Phrases Containing striking

Rhymes for striking

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Browse Nearby Words

strike zone
striking
striking angle
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Cite this Entry

“Striking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/striking. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

striking

adjective
strik·​ing
ˈstrī-kiŋ
: attracting attention : remarkable, impressive
a striking costume
a striking resemblance
strikingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on striking

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about striking

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