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to strike

to strike

155 4.2
To make a sound by hitting an instrument or object
  • verb
  • /straɪk/
translation icon : hacer sonar
  • He used a metal rod to strike the anvil, creating a loud ringing noise.
  • strike a bell

So when you enter into an auditorium full of people you know, you start singing, start striking some chords on the guitar.

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Examples

  • Lifting a cigar to his mouth, he strikes a match and lights it.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • If you were to strike it with a hammer, it would break.

  • On the sun deck above, the company band struck up "Stars and Stripes Forever."

    Fiction book (1992)
  • We also see the first Guineas which are being struck in gold.

  • Capone sticks a cigar in his mouth and strikes a match to light it.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The photomultipliers also record the places where the gamma rays strike the liquid and crystal detectors.

    Academic text (1990)
  • So the Jetboil allows you to plug into a little fuel canister, strike the igniter and have instant flame.

  • When you strike a piano key, it produces a beautiful sound.

  • The blacksmith will strike the hot iron to shape it properly.

Synonyms

to hit
vsto strike
1.0

To strike someone or something with force

is specifically about producing effects by impact rather than just contact
to beat
vsto strike
  • NSFW
1.2

To hit something or someone again and again, making a rhythm

is about making things by impact more broadly not only rhythms
to knock
vsto strike
937 1.0

To hit something by accident with a sudden movement

is the broader act of producing effects by impact not mainly accidental
to punch
vsto strike
455 1.4

To hit someone or something quickly with a closed fist

is broader meaning produce various results by impact not only with fists
to bang
vsto strike
318 1.0

To hit or close something suddenly and loudly

is the general action of producing things by impact not only loud noises
to blast
vsto strike
66 4.1

To make a sudden very loud sound that startles people

is the cause by impact idea but not limited to loud noises
to smite
vsto strike
  • Archaic
13 9.8

Hit a person or thing with a heavy blow

is the general idea of producing effects by impact not only heavy blows
to mint
vsto strike
12 4.8

To make coins or medals by stamping metal

covers producing effects by impact not limited to making currency
to rap
vsto strike
8 3.7

To hit something quickly to make a short sharp sound

is the wider act of producing effects by brief impacts beyond quick taps
to plug
vsto strike
  • NSFW
4 7.7

To hit someone or something with a quick strong blow

is the wider act of producing effects by impact not only quick blows
to coin
vsto strike
2 5.1

To make metal pieces used as money by stamping

focuses on causing things by impact not only on metal manufacture
to strike a light
vsto strike
1 7.0

To make a flame with a match or lighter

is the general act of producing effects by impact beyond making flames
to strike flint
vsto strike
8.7

To make a small spark by hitting a piece of flint to start a fire

is broader meaning to produce various results by impact rather than only sparks

Antonyms

169 3.5

To stop someone from speaking or making noise

23 4.4

Stop a fire, candle, or other light from burning

Idioms

66 3.3

Refusing to work to protest, usually by a group of workers

Make people feel a strong connection when it seems familiar

To seriously damage an idea or reputation

Do something quickly to use a good chance before it ends

To make a flame with a match or lighter

To take action that supports justice

To criticize or take advantage of someone when they are weak

Phrasal Verbs

50 7.4

Declare a law or rule no longer valid

To fight back after someone attacks or hurts you

to strike out
  • Jargon
31 4.1

In baseball, cause a batter to be out after they miss three pitches

Stop working as a group to protest for better pay or conditions

22 3.8

To start a conversation, friendship, or activity with someone in a quick informal way

To agree with someone after talking about the details

to strike out
  • Informal
18 3.9

Fail to succeed in an attempt to do something

Start talking to someone you do not know well

11 4.1

Begin to do something new on your own

Remove a name or item from a list by drawing a line through it

6 6.8

Cause someone to fall, become sick, or die suddenly

Move suddenly toward someone to try to hit or kick them

4 4.4

To start playing a song, usually by a band or group

Hit someone or something very hard

Have a strong effect that makes someone suddenly understand

To make someone unable to speak because they are very surprised or shocked

2 6.7

To remove a person or thing from an official list

To stop work together to ask the employer for higher pay

To find a useful clue that helps an investigation

To get unexpected good luck

To make a small spark by hitting a piece of flint to start a fire

To stop doing a job to protest for better pay or conditions

8.1

Take down a tent when leaving or ending an event

Compounds

29 3.2

To refuse to eat as a way to protest or demand change

A sudden flash of electricity from the sky that hits something or a sudden strong idea

strike zone
  • Specialized
11 4.4

Area over home plate between a batter's knees and shoulders where a pitch must pass to be called a strike

A military attack aimed at one target to avoid damage nearby

4 8.6

A surprise attack with nuclear weapons to destroy an enemy's ability to fight back

A surprise attack carried out to stop an enemy from attacking first

first strike
  • Specialized
3 5.0

An attack launched early to stop a threat that is about to happen, for example in war or computer attacks

Workers stay at their workplace and refuse to work until demands are met

A person who plans and speaks for workers who stop work for better pay or conditions

A strike by workers not approved by their union

ten-strike
  • Jargon
1 7.9

A bowler knocks down all ten pins with the first ball in a frame

strike pay
  • Jargon
1 6.7

Money a union gives members during a strike to help with living costs

8.0

A stoppage of work by workers to make managers follow safety and other workplace rules

7.2

A military action to stop an expected attack by an enemy before it happens

Workers stop work to support other workers who are not working

7.0

Workers stop work to support other workers on strike

strike-slip fault
  • Specialized
7.4

A break in the ground where two rock blocks move past each other horizontally

How Forceful

to smash
311 2.1
to batter
187 3.5
to strike
155 4.2
to hit
1.0
tap
66 1.0

Surface Forms

strike infinitive
striking present participle
strikes third person singular
struck past
struck past participle

Etymology

Strike comes from the old English strīcan, which meant 'to touch or hit', a meaning you can see in stroke. So to strike a note or chord is to make that sound by hitting or touching the instrument.