strike
1 of 2verb
ˈstrīk 
struck ˈstrək ; struck also stricken ˈstri-kən ; striking ˈstrī-kiŋ
; struck also stricken ˈstri-kən ; striking ˈstrī-kiŋ intransitive verb
1
: to take a course : go
struck off through the brush
2
a
: to aim and usually deliver a blow, stroke, or thrust (as with the hand, a weapon, or a tool)
b
: to arrive with detrimental effect
disaster struck
c
: to attempt to undermine or harm something as if by a blow
struck at … cherished notions—
R. P. Warren
R. P. Warren3
: to come into contact forcefully
two ships struck in mid channel
4
: to delete something
5
: to lower a flag usually in surrender
6
a
: to become indicated by a clock, bell, or chime
the hour had just struck
b
: to make known the time by sounding
the clock struck as they entered
7
: pierce, penetrate
the wind seemed to strike through our clothes
8
a
: to engage in battle
b
: to make a military attack
9
: to become ignited
the match struck
10
: to discover something
struck on a new plan of attack
11
a
: to pull on a fishing rod in order to set the hook
b
of a fish : to seize the bait
12
: dart, shoot
13
a
of a plant cutting : to take root
b
of a seed : germinate
14
: to make an impression
15
: to stop work in order to force an employer to comply with demands
16
: to make a beginning
the need to strike vigorously for success
17
: to thrust oneself forward
he struck into the midst of the argument
18
: to work diligently : strive
transitive verb
1
a
: to strike at : hit
b
: to drive or remove by or as if by a blow
c
: to attack or seize with a sharp blow (as of fangs or claws)
struck by a snake
d
: inflict
strike a blow
e
: to produce by or as if by a blow or stroke
Moses struck water from the rock
f
: to separate by a sharp blow
strike off flints
2
a
: to haul down : lower
strike the sails
b
: to dismantle and take away
strike the set
c
: to strike the tents of (a camp)
3
: to afflict suddenly
stricken by a heart attack
4
a
: to engage in (a battle) : fight
b
: to make a military attack on
5
: delete, cancel
strike the last paragraph
6
a
: to penetrate painfully : pierce
b
: to cause to penetrate
strike the needle
c
: to send down or out
trees struck roots deep into the soil
7
a
: to level (something, such as a measure of grain) by scraping off what is above the rim
b
: to smooth or form (something, such as a mold) with a tool
8
: to indicate by sounding
the clock struck one
9
a(1)
: to bring into forceful contact
struck his head on the doorjamb
(2)
: to shake (hands) in confirming an agreement
(3)
: to thrust suddenly
b
: to come into contact or collision with
the car struck the tree
c
of light : to fall on
d
of a sound : to become audible to
10
a
: to affect with a mental or emotional state or a strong emotion
struck with horror at the sight
b
: to affect a person with (a strong emotion)
words that struck fear in the listeners
c
: to cause to become by or as if by a sudden blow
struck him dead
11
a
: to produce by stamping
strike a coin
b(1)
: to produce (something, such as fire) by or as if by striking
(2)
: to cause to ignite by friction
strike a match
12
: to make and ratify the terms of
strike a bargain
13
a
: to play or produce by hitting or plucking keys or strings
struck a series of chords on the piano
b
: to produce as if by playing an instrument
his voice struck a note of concern
14
a
: to hook (a fish) by a sharp pull on the line
b
of a fish : to snatch at (a bait)
15
a
: to occur to
the answer struck me suddenly
b
: to appear to especially as a revelation or as remarkable : impress
it struck the crowd as insensitive
16
: bewitch
17
: to arrive at by or as if by computation
strike a balance
18
a
: to come to : attain
b
: to come upon : discover
strike gold
19
: to engage in a strike against (an employer)
20
: take on, assume
strike a pose
21
a
: to place (a plant cutting) in a medium for growth and rooting
b
: to so propagate (a plant)
22
: to make one's way along
will strike the southern coast
23
: to cause (an arc) to form (as between electrodes of an arc lamp)
24
of an insect : to oviposit on or in
strike
2 of 2noun
1
: a tool for smoothing a surface (as of a mold)
2
: an act or instance of striking
3
a
: a work stoppage by a body of workers to enforce compliance with demands made on an employer
b
: a temporary stoppage of activities in protest against an act or condition
4
: the direction of the line of intersection of a horizontal plane with an uptilted geologic stratum
5
a
: a pull on a fishing rod to strike a fish
b
: a pull on a line by a fish in striking
6
: a stroke of good luck
especially : a discovery of a valuable mineral deposit
7
a
: a pitched ball that is in the strike zone or is swung at and is not hit fair
b
: a perfectly thrown ball or pass
8
: disadvantage, handicap
9
: an act or instance of knocking down all the bowling pins with the first bowl
10
: establishment of roots and plant growth
11
: cutaneous myiasis (as of sheep)
12
a
: a military attack
especially : an air attack on a single objective
b
: a group of airplanes taking part in such an attack
Synonyms
Verb
- walk
- walk out
Noun
- walkout
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb The ship struck an iceberg. The car struck the tree. The bullet struck him in the leg. The cyclist was struck by a car. The tree was struck by lightning. He fell and his head struck the pavement. I could hear the rain striking the rooftop. She struck the cymbals together. The killer struck him with a blunt object. She accidentally struck another player in the face. Noun a strike by airline pilots The workers are on strike. Workers threatened to take strike action. The allies have launched several strikes. See More
Recent Examples on the WebAnchorage Daily News, 9 Feb. 2023 The official said Ukraine does not seek approval from the United States on what to strike and routinely targets Russian forces on their own with other weapons. —Paul Sonne, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2023 Experts have long warned that a significantly larger quake will eventually strike and that the toll will be far greater. —Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2023 Galvin accused the Massachusetts Teachers Association of encouraging the district’s educators to strike and called on the statewide labor organization to reimburse the city for its expenses on behalf of the Woburn Teachers’ Association. —Laura Crimaldi, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Feb. 2023 The studios frequently strike an agreement with the DGA and then seek to use that as a template for deals with the other above-the-line unions. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 Feb. 2023 As Joel and Ellie make their escape, Tess dumps oil barrels and hand grenades onto the ground, ready to strike a lighter and set the place ablaze. —Lauren Puckett-pope, ELLE, 30 Jan. 2023 The bill would lengthen the suspension on driving for motorists who fatally strike a pedestrian, motorcyclist or bicyclist and stiffen its criminal penalty from a misdemeanor to a class 6 felony. —Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 24 Jan. 2023 Biden could also order the U.S. Mint to simply strike a $1 trillion coin and deposit the token in the Federal Reserve, creating new funds to make credit payments. —Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 20 Jan. 2023 Marc Santora, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2023 Fifty-seven people were killed by the police during the first month of the general strike last year, according to the Institute for the Study of Development and Peace, a Colombian NGO. —Wil Sands, WIRED, 9 Feb. 2023 As labor secretary, Walsh helped broker a temporary work agreement between major freight railroads and their unions, preventing the risk of a strike that could have disrupted the U.S. economy ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. —Stephen Whyno, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2023 Those unions and the railroads came back to the negotiating table but remained at a standstill and on the brink of a strike. —Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN, 8 Feb. 2023 As labor secretary, Walsh helped broker a temporary work agreement between major freight railroads and their unions, preventing the risk of a strike that could have disrupted the U.S. economy ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. —Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2023 That footage of the strike, as well as footage of the aftermath analyzed by The Associated Press, corresponded to a site near Minoo Street in northwestern Isfahan that's near a shopping center that includes a carpet and an electronics store. —Jon Gambrell, ajc, 29 Jan. 2023 That footage of the strike, as well as footage of the aftermath analyzed by The Associated Press, corresponded to a site on Minoo Street in northwestern Isfahan that's near a shopping center that includes a carpet and an electronics store. —Jon Gambrell, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Jan. 2023 At the last minute, their brief segment was scratched when the TV station decided to air a bulletin on the settlement of a strike by garbage collectors. —James R. Hagerty, WSJ, 27 Jan. 2023 See More
Verb
The official said that Ukraine does not seek approval from the United States on what to strike and routinely targets Russian forces on their own with other weapons. —Anchorage Daily News, 9 Feb. 2023 The official said Ukraine does not seek approval from the United States on what to strike and routinely targets Russian forces on their own with other weapons. —Paul Sonne, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2023 Experts have long warned that a significantly larger quake will eventually strike and that the toll will be far greater. —Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2023 Galvin accused the Massachusetts Teachers Association of encouraging the district’s educators to strike and called on the statewide labor organization to reimburse the city for its expenses on behalf of the Woburn Teachers’ Association. —Laura Crimaldi, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Feb. 2023 The studios frequently strike an agreement with the DGA and then seek to use that as a template for deals with the other above-the-line unions. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 Feb. 2023 As Joel and Ellie make their escape, Tess dumps oil barrels and hand grenades onto the ground, ready to strike a lighter and set the place ablaze. —Lauren Puckett-pope, ELLE, 30 Jan. 2023 The bill would lengthen the suspension on driving for motorists who fatally strike a pedestrian, motorcyclist or bicyclist and stiffen its criminal penalty from a misdemeanor to a class 6 felony. —Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 24 Jan. 2023 Biden could also order the U.S. Mint to simply strike a $1 trillion coin and deposit the token in the Federal Reserve, creating new funds to make credit payments. —Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 20 Jan. 2023 Noun
Even though the officers needed to quickly get to the site of the strike, the people involved in the accident wanted their paperwork signed first. —Marc Santora, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2023 Fifty-seven people were killed by the police during the first month of the general strike last year, according to the Institute for the Study of Development and Peace, a Colombian NGO. —Wil Sands, WIRED, 9 Feb. 2023 As labor secretary, Walsh helped broker a temporary work agreement between major freight railroads and their unions, preventing the risk of a strike that could have disrupted the U.S. economy ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. —Stephen Whyno, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2023 Those unions and the railroads came back to the negotiating table but remained at a standstill and on the brink of a strike. —Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN, 8 Feb. 2023 As labor secretary, Walsh helped broker a temporary work agreement between major freight railroads and their unions, preventing the risk of a strike that could have disrupted the U.S. economy ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. —Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2023 That footage of the strike, as well as footage of the aftermath analyzed by The Associated Press, corresponded to a site near Minoo Street in northwestern Isfahan that's near a shopping center that includes a carpet and an electronics store. —Jon Gambrell, ajc, 29 Jan. 2023 That footage of the strike, as well as footage of the aftermath analyzed by The Associated Press, corresponded to a site on Minoo Street in northwestern Isfahan that's near a shopping center that includes a carpet and an electronics store. —Jon Gambrell, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Jan. 2023 At the last minute, their brief segment was scratched when the TV station decided to air a bulletin on the settlement of a strike by garbage collectors. —James R. Hagerty, WSJ, 27 Jan. 2023 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Old English strīcan to stroke, go; akin to Old High German strīhhan to stroke, Latin stringere to touch lightly, striga, stria furrow
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing strike
Kids Definition
strike
1 of 2 verb ˈstrīk
struck ˈstrək ; struck also stricken ˈstrik-ən ; striking ˈstrī-kiŋ
; struck also stricken ˈstrik-ən ; striking ˈstrī-kiŋ 1
: to take a course : go
strike across the field
2
a
: to deliver a stroke or blow : hit
b
: to attack or seize especially with fangs or claws
struck by a snake
3
: to remove or cancel with or as if with a stroke of the pen
struck out a word in the text
4
: to lower, take down, or take apart
strike a flag
strike camp
5
a
: to indicate or become indicated by a clock, bell, or chime
the hour had just struck
b
: to indicate by sounding
the clock struck one
6
: to pierce or penetrate or to cause to pierce or penetrate
the wind seemed to strike through our clothes
7
: to make a military attack : fight
strike for freedom
8
: to seize the bait
a fish struck
9
: to take root or cause to take root : germinate
some plant cuttings strike quickly
10
: to stop work for the purpose of forcing an employer to meet demands
11
: to make a beginning : launch
the orchestra struck into another waltz
12
: to cause to suffer pain or distress suddenly
struck down at the height of her career
13
a
: to bring into forceful contact
struck my knee against the seat
b
: to come into contact or collision with
the car struck the tree
c
: to fall on
sunlight strikes your face
14
: to affect with a strong feeling
struck by its beauty
15
a
: to produce by stamping
strike a coin
b
: to cause to ignite by friction
strike a match
16
: to produce on a musical instrument by hitting or plucking strings
strike a chord on the piano
17
a
: to come to mind
the answer struck me suddenly
b
: to appear remarkable or make a strong impression on : impress
I was struck by its beauty
18
a
: to come to
strike the main road
b
: to come upon : discover
strike gold
19
: to take on : assume
strike a pose
strike
2 of 2 noun1
: an act or instance of striking
2
a
: a stopping of work by a body of workers to force an employer to meet demands
b
: a temporary stopping of normal activities in protest against an act or condition
a hunger strike
3
: a pull on a line by a fish in striking
4
: a stroke of good luck
especially : a discovery of a valuable mineral deposit
5
: a baseball pitch that passes through the strike zone or that is swung at without being hit fair
6
: disadvantage entry 1 sense 2a, handicap
their poor attendance was a strike against them
7
: the knocking down of all the pins with the first ball in bowling
8
: a military attack
Medical Definition
strike
noun ˈstrīk
: cutaneous myiasis (as of sheep)
body strike
blowfly strike
Legal Definition
strike
1 of 2 verb struck; struck also stricken; striking
intransitive verb
1
: to remove or delete something
2
: to stop work in order to force an employer to comply with demands
transitive verb
1
: to remove or delete from a legal document and especially from the record of a trial
it struck that part of [the] injunction—National Law Journal
National Law Journal2
: to remove (a prospective juror) from a venire
3
: to engage in a strike against (an employer)
strike
2 of 2 noun1
: the removal of a potential juror from a venire compare challenge
2
: a concerted work stoppage, interruption, or slowdown by a body of workers to enforce compliance with demands made on an employer see also rent strike, Labor Management Relations Act compare job action
— economic strike
: a strike that is brought against an employer because of a dispute regarding economic benefits or conditions (as wages)
Note: Workers engaged in an economic strike can legally be replaced permanently. No-strike clauses in collective bargaining agreements have been held to bar only economic strikes and not strikes protesting an unfair labor practice.
— general strike
: a simultaneous strike by all unionized workers of all trades and industries
— jurisdictional strike
: a strike that is called against an employer as a result of a dispute with another union as to the right to perform particular work
— organizational strike
: recognition strike in this entry
— primary strike
: a strike by workers against their employer with whom they have a dispute
— recognition strike
: a strike by workers against their employer seeking to force the employer to recognize the union as their collective bargaining agent
called also organizational strike
— secondary strike
: sympathy strike in this entry
— sit-down strike
: a strike during which employees remain in and occupy the employer's premises as a protest and means of forcing compliance with demands
Note: This form of strike has been illegal according to both statute and case law since the early 1940s.
— sympathy strike
: a strike by workers not involved in a labor dispute in support of other striking employees or unions
called also secondary strike
— wildcat strike
: a strike by workers that is not authorized by the union
strike 1 of 2
verb
1
as in to walk
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
Relevance
- walk
- walk out
- sit in
- lock out
2
as in to affect
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
- affect
- influence
- impact
- impress
- touch
- reach
- move
- sway
- interest
- inspire
- get to
- involve
- disturb
- bother
- attract
- plague
- dazzle
- penetrate
- entrance
- smite
- carry away
- trouble
- transport
- concern
- engage
- tell (on)
- fascinate
- pierce
- harass
- try
- worry
- stir
- afflict
- ravish
- upset
- bias
- perturb
- enchant
- color
- harry
- distress
- enrapture
- stress
- enthral
- pester
- captivate
- agitate
- disquiet
- discompose
- enthrall
- discomfort
- fluster
- wring
- bewitch
- charm
- strain
- allure
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- bore
- pall
- weary
- tire
- jade
- underwhelm
3
as in to cross
to enter the mind of it struck her later that no one at the bank had asked for identification Synonyms & Similar Words
- cross
- arrive
- appear
- remember
- recollect
- occur (to)
- recall
- emerge
- come (to)
- dawn (on)
- memorize
- con
- materialize
- learn
- reminisce
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- forget
- ignore
- disregard
- overlook
- neglect
- unlearn
4
as in to bump
to come into usually forceful contact with something the thump of hailstones striking the cars in the parking lot Synonyms & Similar Words
- bump
- collide
- bang
- slam
- hit
- smash
- knock
- crash
- ram
- impinge
- impact
- swipe
- thud
- bash
- glance
- bounce
- contact
- rebound
- sweep
- ricochet
- push
- scrape
- land
- brush
- skip
- touch
- kiss
- graze
- nudge
- carom
- muscle
- skim
- clunk
- shave
- jostle
- press
- bulldoze
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- miss
- skirt
5
as in to hit
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
- hit
- knock
- slap
- smack
- punch
- slam
- bang
- whack
- clap
- bat
- swipe
- clip
- pound
- kick
- crack
- hammer
- nail
- smite
- box
- bash
- bludgeon
- thump
- tap
- push
- flick
- clock
- lick
- zap
- jab
- swat
- poke
- stab
- shove
- thwack
- tag
- bop
- slug
- bob
- bonk
- belt
- stroke
- clout
- whale
- chop
- wallop
- sock
- biff
- rap
- bust
- clobber
- bump
- paste
- slog
- maul
- beat
- rough
- batter
- slash
- hang one on
- pummel
- cuff
- lash
- buffet
- pepper
- stamp
- dump
- mangle
- bunt
- fell
- scuff
- whip
- pelt
- bung
- jostle
- knee
- butt
- pommel
- club
- spear
- deck
- switch
- level
- drub
- prod
- lambaste
- lambast
- sledgehammer
- cudgel
- lace
- flail
- floor
- cane
- brain
- sucker punch
- thrash
- knock down
- conk
- sledge
- skull
- bean
- sap
- cream
- flog
- bowl (down or over)
- rabbit-punch
6
as in to dismantle
to take apart the stagehands struck the sets the morning after the play closed Synonyms & Similar Words
- dismantle
- disconnect
- divide
- dismount
- detach
- take down
- dismember
- knock down
- disengage
- disassemble
- break down
- demount
- disarticulate
- separate
- disaggregate
- disunite
- dissever
- break up
- disjoint
- disjoin
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- build
- construct
- assemble
- erect
- pitch
- unite
- combine
7
as in to attack
to take sudden, violent action against a rattlesnake strikes its prey with lightning speed Synonyms & Similar Words
- attack
- assault
- raid
- storm
- ambush
- rob
- charge
- set at
- sick
- assail
- rush
- set on
- invade
- sic
- set upon
- swarm
- fly at
- beset
- round on
- tear into
- pitch into
- light into
- beat up on
- trash
- descend (on or upon)
- surprise
- turn (on)
- bushwhack
- bomb
- pounce (on or upon)
- jump (on)
- mob
- sack
- flank
- go in (on)
- waylay
- go at
- nuke
- blitz
- besiege
- barrage
- cannon
- batter
- bombard
- ambuscade
- ravage
- plunder
- cannonade
- buffet
- loot
- bum-rush
- harry
- mug
- pillage
- foray
- surprize
- gang up (on)
- plaster
- press
- envelop
- overrun
- beleaguer
- bang away (at)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- protect
- defend
- secure
- guard
- cover
- shield
8
as in to spell
to cast a spell on the only way that she's going to get a man is if she strikes one Synonyms & Similar Words
- spell
- possess
- tempt
- curse
- seduce
- enchant
- hex
- bewitch
- charm
- ensorcell
- ensorcel
- attract
- overlook
- lure
- jinx
- entice
- captivate
- mesmerize
- fascinate
- beguile
- voodoo
- spellbind
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- bless
strike
2 of 2noun
1
as in walkout
a work stoppage by a body of workers intended to force an employer to meet their demands the nurses will go on strike tomorrow unless they're finally given a pay raise Synonyms & Similar Words
- walkout
- sympathy strike
- sympathetic strike
- lockout
- go-slow
- job action
- sick-out
- slowdown
- sit-in
- sit-down
2
as in attack
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence the first strike was directed at a munitions warehouse Synonyms & Similar Words
- attack
- raid
- assault
- attempt
- offensive
- onslaught
- offense
- rush
- bombardment
- counterattack
- blitzkrieg
- onset
- blitz
- aggression
- charge
- ambush
- invasion
- bombing
- incursion
- barrage
- coup de main
- offence
- siege
- descent
- breakthrough
- counterstrike
- sortie
- counteroffensive
- air raid
- flanking
- volley
- counterassault
- ravage
- ambuscade
- sack
- foray
- storm
- sally
- hail
- pillage
- counteraggression
- envelopment
- salvo
- cannonade
- fusillade
- whammy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- defense
- opposition
- shield
- guard
- resistance
- protection
- defensive
- security
- shelter
3
as in disadvantage
a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success kids born into poverty already have a strike against them Synonyms & Similar Words
- disadvantage
- handicap
- negative
- debit
- shortcoming
- drawback
- liability
- minus
- downside
- failing
- catch
- incommodity
- disbenefit
- let
- obstacle
- disability
- stranglehold
- interference
- stop
- impairment
- rub
- albatross
- millstone
- obstruction
- hurdle
- hitch
- clog
- shackle
- impediment
- crimp
- hindrance
- trammel
- embarrassment
- check
- bar
- manacle
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- advantage
- edge
- start
- asset
- jump
- drop
- control
- lead
- plus
- margin
- opportunity
- command
- ascendancy
- vantage
- break
- head start
- mastery
- upper hand
- prerogative
- privilege
- predominance
- superiority
- transcendence
- supremacy
- aid
- help
- ascendency
- assistance
- better
4
as in collision
a forceful coming together of two things the strike of a hammer against a nail always has a satisfying sound when you're building something yourself Synonyms & Similar Words
- collision
- blow
- jolt
- slam
- crash
- shock
- impact
- thump
- kick
- slap
- hit
- bump
- knock
- encounter
- pounding
- concussion
- impingement
- contact
- smash
- punch
- jounce
- wallop
- hammering
- jar
- buffet
- pummeling
- touch
- thrashing
- meeting
- bludgeoning
- battering
- bashing
- licking
- clobbering
- pummelling
- rap
- lambasting
5
as in break
an unexpected benefit or advantage resulting from the uncertain course of events she's made one strike after another since she began speculating in real estate Synonyms & Similar Words
- break
- accident
- chance
- fluke
- luck
- stroke of luck
- hazard
- happenstance
- circumstance
- hap
- happenchance
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of strike are affect, impress, influence, sway, and touch. While all these words mean "to produce or have an effect upon," strike, similar to but weaker than impress, may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation.
struck by the solemnity of the occasion
The meanings of affect and strike largely overlap; however, affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction.
the sight affected her to tears
While the synonyms impress and strike are close in meaning, impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect.
only one of the plans impressed him
The words influence and strike are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior).
our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing
The synonyms sway and strike are sometimes interchangeable, but sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action.
politicians who are swayed by popular opinion
The words touch and strike can be used in similar contexts, but touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming.
plants touched by frost
his emotions were touched by her distress