Word: struck (verb, past tense of "strike")

Associations

"Struck" is the past tense and past participle form of the verb "strike." It means to hit something or someone, or to suddenly affect someone or something.

Examples:

• He struck the ball with great force. (He hit the ball.)
• She was struck by a sudden idea. (She was suddenly affected by an idea.)
• The clock struck midnight. (The clock made a sound to show the time.)

Synonym: "hit"

• Difference: "strike" often sounds a bit more formal or strong than "hit." "Strike" can also mean to affect emotionally or mentally, while "hit" usually means physical contact.

Substitution

• Instead of "struck," you can say "hit," "smacked," or "banged" when talking about physical hitting.
• For sudden ideas or feelings, you can say "was hit by," "was affected by," or "was overcome by."

Deconstruction

• Root: "strike" comes from Old English "strīcan," meaning to hit or touch lightly.
• "Struck" is the irregular past form of "strike," so it changes completely instead of adding "-ed."

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you were "struck" by an idea or feeling?
• How is "struck" different when used for physical hitting versus emotional impact?
• Can you make a sentence using "struck" to describe something surprising?