striking

adjective

strik·​ing ˈstrī-kiŋ How to pronounce striking (audio)
: attracting attention or notice through unusual or conspicuous qualities
a place of striking beauty
strikingly adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for striking

noticeable, remarkable, prominent, outstanding, conspicuous, salient, striking mean attracting notice or attention.

noticeable applies to something unlikely to escape observation.

a piano recital with no noticeable errors

remarkable applies to something so extraordinary or exceptional as to invite comment.

a film of remarkable intelligence and wit

prominent applies to something commanding notice by standing out from its surroundings or background.

a doctor who occupies a prominent position in the town

outstanding applies to something that rises above and excels others of the same kind.

honored for her outstanding contributions to science

conspicuous applies to something that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind.

conspicuous bureaucratic waste

salient applies to something of significance that merits the attention given it.

the salient points of the speech

striking applies to something that impresses itself powerfully and deeply upon the observer's mind or vision.

the region's striking poverty

Examples of striking in a Sentence

The poverty of the city is striking. There is a striking resemblance between the girls. an actress known for her striking good looks
Recent Examples on the Web Especially standing out in the primary dwelling is a striking entry foyer that steps down to a fireside living room sporting French doors spilling out to a patio. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2024 But this year’s 49ers will have striking similarities to last season’s team that won the NFC Championship and, ultimately, could not end the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl reign. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 Yet scary characters are more striking and salient to us, and can therefore seem even more alive. Patrick House, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2024 The video bears a striking resemblance to a tornado that crossed the Connecticut River in Springfield, Mass., on June 1, 2011. Scott Dance, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Explaining Change Healthcare and the gravity of its cyberattack The contrast between the proactive and aggressive protective mechanisms in place in the financial services sector and the relative laxity in health care’s critical IT infrastructure is striking and unsustainable. Jonathan Slotkin and David Vawdrey, STAT, 14 Mar. 2024 In short, the 26-year-old actor bore a striking resemblance to Marilyn Monroe. Leah Dolan, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 More on Iran Parliamentary Elections: Iranians delivered a stinging rebuke to the country’s ruling conservatives in the parliamentary election on March 1, as millions boycotted the vote and a far-right faction made striking gains. Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Most visually striking are Isabella Whitfield’s meticulous layouts of individual rice grains, placed in rows fixed by plaster and clay inside large flat bowls that are mounted on the wall. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'striking.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1725, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of striking was in 1725

Dictionary Entries Near striking

Cite this Entry

“Striking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/striking. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

striking

adjective
strik·​ing
ˈstrī-kiŋ
: attracting attention : remarkable, impressive
a striking costume
a striking resemblance
strikingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on striking

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