Strike
/straɪk/
Definitions
6 meaningsTo deliver a blow or hit forcibly.
/straɪk/
To hit someone or something forcefully and deliberately.
He struck the ball with the bat.
💡 Simply: To hit something hard, like when you swing a baseball bat and hit the ball really far! Or, like when someone gets punched in a movie (ouch!).
👶 For kids: To hit something hard.
More Examples
The boxer struck his opponent in the face.
How It's Used
"The batter struck the ball with all his might."
"The robber struck the security guard."
To cease work in protest, often for improved conditions.
/straɪk/
To refuse to work as a protest.
The union decided to strike.
💡 Simply: To stop working as a group to try and get what you want, like if a group of kids all decided not to do their chores until they got more video game time.
👶 For kids: To stop working to make someone listen.
More Examples
The teachers went on strike to demand higher pay.
How It's Used
"The workers voted to strike for better wages."
To come into someone's mind suddenly and unexpectedly.
/straɪk/
To find or discover something suddenly.
It struck me that I had left my wallet at home.
💡 Simply: When an idea just pops into your head out of nowhere! Like when you suddenly remember you have to feed your pet hamster.
👶 For kids: To suddenly think of something.
More Examples
The solution struck her immediately.
How It's Used
"The idea struck him as brilliant."
"It suddenly struck her that she had left her keys at home."
To cause (a match) to ignite by rubbing it against a rough surface.
/straɪk/
To cause (a match or similar item) to ignite by rubbing it against a rough surface.
He struck a match to light the campfire.
💡 Simply: To light a match or something similar like a lighter, so a fire starts.
👶 For kids: To make a match make fire.
More Examples
She struck the lighter and watched the flame.
How It's Used
"He struck a match to light the candle."
"She struck the flint to start a fire."
A stoppage of work by employees to protest conditions.
/straɪk/
A refusal to work by a group of employees, as a form of protest.
The company faced a prolonged strike.
💡 Simply: When a bunch of people stop working to show they're unhappy about something, like low pay.
👶 For kids: When workers stop working to get something they want.
More Examples
The strike caused significant disruption to the supply chain.
How It's Used
"The workers went on strike demanding higher wages."
A sudden military attack.
/straɪk/
A sudden attack, typically military.
The air force launched a surgical strike.
💡 Simply: Like when soldiers try to attack the enemy quickly, like in war games!
👶 For kids: A quick attack.
More Examples
The country prepared for a potential strike.
How It's Used
"The enemy launched a preemptive strike."
Synonyms
Beat
Hit
Punch
Smash
Boycott
Protest
Occur
Ignite
Kindle
Light
Assault
Attack
Raid
Antonyms
Avoid
Miss
Labor
Resume
Conceal
Hide
Extinguish
Collaboration
Defense
Peace
Retreat
Idioms & expressions
strike a balance
To find a compromise between two different things or to make something evenly balanced.
"The company is trying to strike a balance between profit and employee satisfaction."
strike gold
To discover something very valuable or successful.
"The new app has really struck gold, generating millions of downloads in the first week."
From Middle English striken, from Old English *strīcan (implied by strīca), from Proto-Germanic *strīkaną (to stroke, graze). Related to Dutch strijken, German streichen.
The word 'strike' has been used for centuries, initially referring to a physical blow. Its use to describe labor actions emerged in the 19th century.
Memory tip
Imagine a hammer STRUKING a nail with a loud impact.