- present participle of strike.
striking
Americanadjective
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a scene of striking beauty.
- Synonyms:
- outstanding, noteworthy, remarkable
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a striking lack of enthusiasm.
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being on strike, as workers.
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capable of attacking an enemy, especially by air.
striking power.
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within the extent of space through which it is possible to attack a target effectively.
striking distance.
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adjective
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attracting attention; fine; impressive
a striking beauty
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conspicuous; noticeable
a striking difference
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of striking
Explanation
Something striking grabs your attention because it’s vivid and surprising. Many twins have a striking resemblance. People in red satin evening gowns, the pyramids in Egypt, and platform heels with fish in them are also striking. Anything striking is hard not to notice; it almost hits, or strikes, you with surprise, like a toddler in a tuxedo. People can be striking, and so can landscapes — one of the most striking sights in the world is the Grand Canyon, which is why so many people visit just to look at it. Non-visual things can be striking too, like a striking thought that makes you shout, “Eureka!”
Vocabulary lists containing striking
NAEP Test Words
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Unit 3: Compelling Evidence
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Pay Attention! Synonyms for "Interesting"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Americans striking it rich in the data-center build-out.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026
The study, published in Autonomic Neuroscience, uncovered a striking left-right difference that may one day improve treatment strategies for irregular heartbeats, chest pain, angina, and stress-induced 'broken-heart' syndrome.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 14, 2026
Still more striking is the affection generated in the audience by the more intimate setting of a 300-seat theater, less than half the size of a standard Broadway house.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
But they did not want the court itself interrupting or striking down Congress’ legislation.
From Slate ● Jul. 13, 2026
“Might as well starve striking than working,” some said.
From "Fannie Never Flinched" by Mary Cronk Farrell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
