STRIKES Synonyms: 471 Similar and Opposite Words

strikes 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of strike

as in walks

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

Relevance

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

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

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

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

as in dismantles

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in attacks

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

blesses

strikes

2 of 2

noun

plural of strike

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

as in assaults

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

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

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

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

Verb

Not too fitted and not too relaxed, this breezy tee strikes the right semi-relaxed balance. — Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2026 Made up of sharp angles and straight lines, the quilt and its matching shams have a look that strikes the right balance between classic and contemporary. — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 27 June 2026 Tribunals have been appointed, and Coriolanus’ scornful elitism strikes them as too heavy a price for his military protection. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 Argentina strikes first in the 38th minute, and the massive Argentina faithful goes berserk inside the stadium. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026 Unless a meteor strikes, the Dodgers are headed toward another West title and probably a first-round playoff bye. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 June 2026 Russia routinely strikes Ukrainian civilians, schools, churches, apartments and homes, power grids that light and heat them, ports, railways, airfields, and defense industry. — David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Several Gulf countries have strongly denounced Iran's drone strikes Saturday on the island nation of Bahrain, while vowing to stand united against any possible aggression from Tehran in the future. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026 As the clock strikes midnight on Saturday, July 4, ABC News will bring audiences to the first parade in the nation in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. — ABC News, 29 June 2026

Noun

In the longest start of his career, Mize threw first-pitch strikes to 16 of 22 batters and struck out five of his final six. — Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 30 June 2026 Hendry and Theory went back-and-forth with strikes before Joe hit a Standing Ovation for the win. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS. — Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026 Meanwhile, Ukraine is facing a fresh wave of attacks from Russia, amid some of the deadliest strikes on Kyiv since the war began in 2022. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 7 July 2026 Gas prices have started to come down since the preliminary peace deal was announced, but the latest round of strikes has threatened to slow ship traffic through the strait, which carried 20% of the world's oil before the war. — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 30 June 2026 The summit is playing out against the backdrop of Russia’s war in Ukraine and comes just after deadly Russian strikes on Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv. — Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 7 July 2026 Drone strikes and shelling have targeted civilian infrastructure including schools, markets, fuel and water stations, putting over 500,000 people at risk. — Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 Drone strikes and shelling have targeted civilian infrastructure including schools, markets, fuel and water stations, putting over 500,000 people at risk. — ABC News, 6 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strikes

Verb

To learn more about the real-life locations used in the series, Boudreaux walks us through the Lone Star locales used to tell this South Texan story.

— Alex Jhamb Burns, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 July 2026
The movie opens with a modern-day museum tour guide, Olivia (voiced by Allison Janney), who walks guests through exhibits celebrating cinema history.

— Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 3 July 2026

Definition of walks

Verb

One of the most common – yet frequently misunderstood – causes of chronic pelvic pain is endometriosis, a condition that affects about one in 10 women of reproductive age.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 July 2026
This issue mainly affects the crafts/below-the-line categories, like directing, editing and cinematography, which are evaluated by specific episodes ahead of nominations.

— Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 6 July 2026

Definition of affects

Verb

Vic examines the game’s boundaries and repeatedly crosses them, while mostly failing to keep a straight face.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 30 June 2026
The trail starts in a glade, crosses a bridge over a creek, then emerges into alpine pasture and scree surrounded by high peaks.

— William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Definition of crosses

Verb

Debate over the World War I-era killings, widely seen by scholars as the first genocide of the 20th century, now collides with international accusations over Israel’s conduct in Gaza.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
During its journey through the atmosphere over tens of miles, the asteroid collides with air molecules, and the incredible temperatures and pressure usually vaporize it.

— Adam Lark, Scientific American, 28 June 2026

Definition of collides

Verb

Economic incentives would be phased in as Tehran turns over nuclear material, dismantles nuclear facilities, and demonstrates a commitment to regional stability, the senior administration official said.

— Nik Popli, Time, 12 June 2026
Northwestern researchers designed a material that physically builds, dismantles, and rebuilds itself to manage energy.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026

Definition of dismantles

Verb

Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms begin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Another device, called a 4-Poster bait station, attacks the ticks that congregate on deer’s heads.

— Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Definition of attacks

Verb

The United States possesses the world’s strongest military, most innovative economy, and deepest capital markets.

— Marc Andersen, Fortune, 30 June 2026
While Languedoc possesses remarkable varietal diversity, Legrand is quick to point out that grapes are only the starting point.

— Emily Cappiello, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026