striking
Americanadjective
-
a scene of striking beauty.
- Synonyms:
- outstanding, noteworthy, remarkable
-
a striking lack of enthusiasm.
-
being on strike, as workers.
-
-
capable of attacking an enemy, especially by air.
striking power.
-
within the extent of space through which it is possible to attack a target effectively.
striking distance.
-
adjective
-
attracting attention; fine; impressive
a striking beauty
-
conspicuous; noticeable
a striking difference
Other Word Forms
Derived 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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Unit 3: Compelling Evidence
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Pay Attention! Synonyms for "Interesting"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
But that clip did eventually come out, in late 2016, after Trump had already won that year’s election, and the depth of Trump’s misunderstanding of the film was striking.
From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026
Even more striking, feeding the worms phosphatidylcholine or its precursor, choline, restored a more youthful mitochondrial structure within just two days.
From Science Daily • Jun. 11, 2026
The military forces were striking air defenses and radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz, according to a senior U.S. official.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
On the Mexican side, the similarities to 2010 are striking — and not necessarily for the right reasons.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
All the wall clocks were striking 7:00 as Betsie and I carried the flowers in and looked for the most artistic spot to put them.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
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.
