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
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
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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.
Striking the right balance is especially important because of sequence-of-returns risk.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026
Striking them down would send a very different message: that deception and abuse can be shielded by the First Amendment when delivered through the power of a professional license.
From Slate • Mar. 11, 2026
Striking a deal with Stoke would have given Altman exposure to a rocket, called Nova, the company has been developing.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025
Striking workers in the midwestern states of Missouri and Illinois had walked off the job on August 4.
From Barron's • Nov. 13, 2025
Striking was the only way workers could try to influence the mine owners, but Fannie knew that the miners would not stay on strike if their children were hungry.
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.
