The Past Tense of Strike: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

If you have ever been curious about the correct american english past tense of strike is, this article will clear that up plus give you a look into the history of the word, the definition, word lists, and everything else you could want to learn about the word.

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What is the Definition of the Word Strike?

The word strike is defined in the english dictionary as:

  •  a tool for smoothing a surface (as of a mold)
  • an act or instance of striking
  • a work stoppage by a body of workers to enforce compliance with demands made on an employer
  • the direction of the line of intersection of a horizontal plane with an uptilted geological stratum
  • a pull on a fishing rod to strike a fish
  • a stroke of good luck
    • especially: a discovery of a valuable mineral deposit
  • an act or instance of knocking down all the bowling pins with the first bowl
  • the establishment of roots and plant growth
  • cutaneous myiasis (as of sheep)
  • a military attack
    • especially: an air attack on a single objective

How do You Conjugate Strike?

Here are the other conjugations of the word strike:

Base Form (Infinitive) Strike 
Past SimpleStruck
Past Participle of StrikeStruck/ Stricken 
3rd Person Singular Strikes 
Present Participle/ Present TenseStriking 
Future TenseStrike

The History and Origin of the Word

Verb- 

The Proto-Germanic word was strikan from the PIE root string meaning to stroke, rub, or press. The Old English language word is strican meaning to pass over lightly, stroke, smooth, rub, or proceed. The word has been used since the 14th century to collide, hit with a missile, to cancel, or to expunge. Middle English grammar used the word strike meaning to go forward. In the 1500s the word was used in a sense of balancing for example to balance accounts. In the 1700s the word was used to refuse to work until the employer meets the demands of the employees who believe they are being treated unfairly and then in sailing it was the lowering of your sails, refusing to go to sea. 

Noun- 

The use of the word as a noun started in the 1500s as the act of striking. In the 1800s it was used to describe a strike from work until the demands have been met, and the term was used in baseball, for example, strike- you are out. This century also used the term for bowling when you knock all the pins over on the first bowl. In the 1900s the word was used as a sudden military attack. 

Synonyms From the Thesaurus for Strike

  • Walk Out- to leave a place often for another
    • we simply walked out after waiting half an hour for someone to come and serve us
  • Bang- to leave a place often for another
    • he/she simply walked out after waiting half an hour for someone to come and serve us
  • Bash- to come into usually forceful contact with something 
    • the car bashed into the tree with glass-shattering force
  • Hit- to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner 
    • a good carpenter hits a nail just two or three times to drive it in
  • Smash- to cause to break with violence and much noise 
    • the drunken guest deliberately smashed a glass against the brick fireplace
  • Assault- to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse with a person unwilling or unable to give consent 
    • was registered as a sex offender after assaulting the victim
    • Dismantle- to take apart 
      • dismantle the table for easier transport

Example Sentences With the Word Strike

Verb

  • The ship struck an iceberg. 
  •  The car struck the tree.
  • The clock strikes 3 o’clock.

Noun

  • The army launched a strike against the enemy. 
  • Their working conditions were so poor, they had a walkout and a hunger strike for a period of time. 
  • Three strike outs and you’re out. 

Examples of the Word in Context

Summary

Next time you need to write the word strike, you will be well prepared for everything you need to know what it is and how to use it efficiently. You should feel confident with the different conjugations, the history of the word, and the definition of strike.

Sources:

  1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strike
  2. https://www.usingenglish.com/reference/irregular-verbs/strike.html
  3. https://www.etymonline.com/word/strike
  4. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-01/de-blasio-says-he-s-come-to-agreement-with-unions-on-schools
  5. https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/30/football/lionel-messi-misses-coronavirus-test-barcelona-spt-intl/index.html
  6. https://www.startribune.com/loons-adrian-heath-if-i-had-more-substitutes-i-would-have-made-more-changes/572268852/
  7. https://www.cleveland.com/highschoolsports/2020/08/big-kicks-comebacks-and-defense-highlight-week-1-hs-football-top-performers.html
  8. https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-city-teachers-union-prepares-for-possible-strike-authorization-vote-11598735884
  9. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/gabe-lacques/2020/08/28/jackie-robinson-day-mlb-black-lives-matter/5657527002/