strike

¹strike

verb \ˈstrīk\

struck\ˈstrək\struck also strick·en\ˈstri-kən\strik·ing\ˈstrī-kiŋ\

Definition of STRIKE

intransitive verb

1

: to take a course : go <struck off through the brush>

2

a : to aim and usually deliver a blow, stroke, or thrust (as with the hand, a weapon, or a tool) b : to arrive with detrimental effect <disaster struck> c : to attempt to undermine or harm something as if by a blow <struck at … cherished notions — R. P. Warren>

3

: to come into contact forcefully <two ships struck in mid channel>

4

: to delete something

5

: to lower a flag usually in surrender

6

a : to become indicated by a clock, bell, or chime <the hour had just struck> b : to make known the time by sounding <the clock struck as they entered>

7

: pierce, penetrate <the wind seemed to strike through our clothes>

8

a : to engage in battle b : to make a military attack

9

: to become ignited <the match struck>

10

: to discover something <struck on a new plan of attack>

11

a : to pull on a fishing rod in order to set the hook b of a fish : to seize the bait

12

: dart, shoot

13

a of a plant cutting : to take root b of a seed : germinate

14

: to make an impression

15

: to stop work in order to force an employer to comply with demands

16

: to make a beginning <the need to strike vigorously for success>

17

: to thrust oneself forward <he struck into the midst of the argument>

18

: to work diligently : strive

transitive verb

1

a : to strike at : hit b : to drive or remove by or as if by a blow c : to attack or seize with a sharp blow (as of fangs or claws) <struck by a snake> d : inflict <strike a blow> e : to produce by or as if by a blow or stroke <Moses struck water from the rock> f : to separate by a sharp blow <strike off flints>

2

a : to haul down : lower <strike the sails> b : to dismantle and take away <strike the set> c : to strike the tents of (a camp)

3

: to afflict suddenly <stricken by a heart attack>

4

a : to engage in (a battle) : fight b : to make a military attack on

5

: delete, cancel <strike the last paragraph>

6

a : to penetrate painfully : pierce b : to cause to penetrate <strike the needle> c : to send down or out <trees struck roots deep into the soil>

7

a : to level (as a measure of grain) by scraping off what is above the rim b : to smooth or form (as a mold) with a tool

8

: to indicate by sounding <the clock struck one>

9

a (1) : to bring into forceful contact <struck his head on the doorjamb> (2) : to shake (hands) in confirming an agreement (3) : to thrust suddenly b : to come into contact or collision with <the car struck the tree> c of light : to fall on d of a sound : to become audible to

10

a : to affect with a mental or emotional state or a strong emotion <struck with horror at the sight> b : to affect a person with (a strong emotion) <words that struck fear in the listeners> c : to cause to become by or as if by a sudden blow <struck him dead>

11

a : to produce by stamping <strike a coin> b (1) : to produce (as fire) by or as if by striking (2) : to cause to ignite by friction <strike a match>

12

: to make and ratify the terms of <strike a bargain>

13

a : to play or produce by stroking keys or strings <struck a series of chords on the piano> b : to produce as if by playing an instrument <his voice struck a note of concern>

14

a : to hook (a fish) by a sharp pull on the line b of a fish : to snatch at (a bait)

15

a : to occur to <the answer struck me suddenly> b : to appear to especially as a revelation or as remarkable : impress <it struck the crowd as insensitive>

16

: bewitch

17

: to arrive at by or as if by computation <strike a balance>

18

a : to come to : attain b : to come upon : discover <strike gold>

19

: to engage in a strike against (an employer)

20

: take on, assume <strike a pose>

21

a : to place (a plant cutting) in a medium for growth and rooting b : to so propagate (a plant)

22

: to make one's way along <will strike the southern coast>

23

: to cause (an arc) to form (as between electrodes of an arc lamp)

24

of an insect : to oviposit on or in

— strike it rich

: to become rich usually suddenly

Examples of STRIKE

1. The ship struck an iceberg.
2. The car struck the tree.
3. The bullet struck him in the leg.
4. The cyclist was struck by a car.
5. The tree was struck by lightning.
6. He fell and his head struck the pavement.
7. I could hear the rain striking the rooftop.
8. She struck the cymbals together.
9. The killer struck him with a blunt object.
10. She accidentally struck another player in the face.

Origin of STRIKE

Middle English, from Old English strīcan to stroke, go; akin to Old High German strīhhan to stroke, Latin stringere to touch lightly, striga, stria furrow

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to STRIKE

Synonyms: walk, walk out

Antonyms: assemble, construct

Related Words: sit in; lock out

Near Antonyms: bore, jade, pall, tire, weary; underwhelm

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at affect

Rhymes with STRIKE

bike, dike, fyke, haik, hike, like, mike, pike, psych, shrike, sike, spike, trike, tyke