striking

[strahy-king]

adjective

1. attractive; impressive.

   a scene of striking beauty.

   Synonyms: outstanding, noteworthy, remarkable

2. noticeable; conspicuous.

   a striking lack of enthusiasm.

3. being on strike, as workers.

4. 1. capable of attacking an enemy, especially by air.

      striking power.

   2. within the extent of space through which it is possible to attack a target effectively.

      striking distance.

striking

/ ˈstraɪkɪŋ /

adjective

1. attracting attention; fine; impressive

   a striking beauty

2. conspicuous; noticeable

   a striking difference

Other Word Forms

• strikingly adverb
• strikingness noun
• nonstriking adjective
• unstriking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of striking¹

First recorded in 1605–15; strike + -ing ²

Example Sentences

A striking 1970s poster from Cesar Chavez’s Farm Worker Press features Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata — rifle in one hand, sword in the other — reimagined as a mascot for California’s United Farm Workers.

From Los Angeles Times

A striking cremello horse stood out from the rest — a beloved subject for photographers who sojourn here.

From Los Angeles Times

He went six innings against the Phillies, giving up three runs and three hits and striking out nine.

From Los Angeles Times

The artist-turned-filmmaker even incorporates a striking image from one of his oils — that of a translucent horselike creature — as an enigmatic visual motif that proves more ponderous than poetic.

From Los Angeles Times

In striking down that requirement, Chief Justice John Roberts ruled that “no one can fairly say” that the South “shows anything approaching the ‘pervasive,’ ‘flagrant,’ ‘widespread,’ and ‘rampant’ discrimination that faced Congress in 1965.”

From Salon

Related Words

• arresting 
• astonishing 
• bizarre 
• compelling 
• conspicuous 
• dazzling 
• eye-catching 
• fascinating 
• handsome 
• impressive 
• marked 
• memorable 
• noteworthy 
• noticeable 
• outstanding 
• powerful 
• remarkable 
• salient 
• singular 
• startling