STRIKING Synonyms: 468 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'striking' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of striking are conspicuous , noticeable , outstanding , prominent , remarkable , and salient . While all these words mean "attracting notice or attention," striking applies to something that impresses itself powerfully and deeply upon the observer's mind or vision. // the region's striking poverty

Q: When is 'conspicuous' a more appropriate choice than 'striking'?

The meanings of conspicuous and striking largely overlap; however, conspicuous applies to something that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind. // conspicuous bureaucratic waste

Q: When would 'noticeable' be a good substitute for 'striking'?

The synonyms noticeable and striking are sometimes interchangeable, but noticeable applies to something unlikely to escape observation. // a piano recital with no noticeable errors

Q: When could 'outstanding' be used to replace 'striking'?

While the synonyms outstanding and striking are close in meaning, outstanding applies to something that rises above and excels others of the same kind. // honored for her outstanding contributions to science

Q: When might 'prominent' be a better fit than 'striking'?

The words prominent and striking can be used in similar contexts, but prominent applies to something commanding notice by standing out from its surroundings or background. // a doctor who occupies a prominent position in the town

Q: When is it sensible to use 'remarkable' instead of 'striking'?

In some situations, the words remarkable and striking are roughly equivalent. However, remarkable applies to something so extraordinary or exceptional as to invite comment. // a film of remarkable intelligence and wit

Q: Where would 'salient' be a reasonable alternative to 'striking'?

The words salient and striking are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, salient applies to something of significance that merits the attention given it. // the salient points of the speech

striking 1 of 2

adjective

ˈstrī-kiŋ

Definition of striking

as in noticeable

likely to attract attention you'd be amazed what a striking difference new wallpaper can make in a room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in glaring

very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad several striking contradictions in her argument

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

striking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of strike

as in walking

to refuse to work in order to force an employer to meet demands the union is calling for its members to strike until the mining company agrees to meet safety standards

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in affecting

to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response we were struck by the willingness of total strangers to go out of their way to help us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in occurring (to)

to enter the mind of it struck her later that no one at the bank had asked for identification

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in bumping

to come into usually forceful contact with something the thump of hailstones striking the cars in the parking lot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in hitting

to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner the driver of the car behind me applied his brakes too late and struck my car from the rear

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in dismantling

to take apart the stagehands struck the sets the morning after the play closed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in attacking

to take sudden, violent action against a rattlesnake strikes its prey with lightning speed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in possessing

to cast a spell on the only way that she's going to get a man is if she strikes one

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

blessing

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective striking differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of striking are conspicuous, noticeable, outstanding, prominent, remarkable, and salient. While all these words mean "attracting notice or attention," striking applies to something that impresses itself powerfully and deeply upon the observer's mind or vision.

the region's striking poverty

When is conspicuous a more appropriate choice than striking?

The meanings of conspicuous and striking largely overlap; however, conspicuous applies to something that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind.

conspicuous bureaucratic waste

When would noticeable be a good substitute for striking?

The synonyms noticeable and striking are sometimes interchangeable, but noticeable applies to something unlikely to escape observation.

a piano recital with no noticeable errors

When could outstanding be used to replace striking?

While the synonyms outstanding and striking are close in meaning, outstanding applies to something that rises above and excels others of the same kind.

honored for her outstanding contributions to science

When might prominent be a better fit than striking?

The words prominent and striking can be used in similar contexts, but prominent applies to something commanding notice by standing out from its surroundings or background.

a doctor who occupies a prominent position in the town

When is it sensible to use remarkable instead of striking?

In some situations, the words remarkable and striking are roughly equivalent. However, remarkable applies to something so extraordinary or exceptional as to invite comment.

a film of remarkable intelligence and wit

Where would salient be a reasonable alternative to striking?

The words salient and striking are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, salient applies to something of significance that merits the attention given it.

the salient points of the speech

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of striking

Adjective

Some of the most striking data points from the IFS survey suggest that liberals hold a bleaker view of parenthood than conservatives do. — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026 The striking photo was taken along India's west coast where locals give sea turtle hatchlings (Lepidochelys olivacea) a fighting chance by escorting them from their nests to the water. — New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Miami Gardens police say an argument between a father and son escalated when the father fired through a glass door, striking his son. — Abby Dodge, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 Police said that student made verbal threats and threw a chair at a school security guard, striking the guard in the head. — Kathy McCormack, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for striking

Recent Examples of Synonyms for striking

Adjective

The blazing speed around the end is especially noticeable for a team that has lacked that flash in past seasons — and also was miserable on third downs during last year’s disappointing 6-11 campaign.

— Jesse Newell, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
One of the most noticeable things about The Complete Carebrush is the long teeth that are alternately spaced, creating a scalp massage and helping hair to move through the brush without friction.

— Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of noticeable

Adjective

In a second half filled with indictments on Imai’s inauspicious season, few seem more glaring than this.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
His job is the installation of decibel meters, which trigger a glaring blue light when excessive levels of noise are reached — as happens here, though the rowdy patrons aren’t deterred.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of glaring

Verb

Review There are sprawling meadows made for picnicking, walking trails that snake through dense forests, and a picturesque lake.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
The video, released by Ukraine’s prosecutor general, clearly shows a person in a black bucket hat, a lose dark jumper and a large white tote bag, walking up the street and placing a black backpack on the doorstep of Yermolaiev’s home.

— Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of walking

Verb

In the long run, successful commercialization of solid-state transformers could even help ease the broader supply chain shortage affecting power transformers.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026
After D’Amaro in April revealed layoffs affecting up to 1,000 employees, Disney in July eliminated several hundred positions, with Pixar and National Geographic among the divisions most affected by the cuts.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of affecting

Verb

Chavez delivered the animals to an undercover agent hours after crossing the border and was paid $2,600 in cash.

— Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
The Road Ahead Stripe has agreed to buy a position in the path where AI money moves, and the price says the market now values that position above much of the traffic crossing it.

— Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of crossing

Verb

Lennar is down 38% since hitting a high in September of last year.

— Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026
The rooftop at ‘Alohilani Resort is part of the property’s fitness hub, and guests can gaze out at Waikiki Beach and feel the Pacific Ocean breeze while practicing their hitting in the batting cages.

— Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of hitting

Cite this Entry

Style

“Striking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/striking. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of striking

adjective

verb

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