Unstrike

noun, verb

noun, verb ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A collective action by members of a trade union in which they appear at work but protest in some way such as passing out leaflets or refusing to wear a uniform.

    "As collective bargaining was going poorly, the Union membership had approved the implementation of an "unstrike" campaign, which included a refusal to wear uniforms."

Verb
  1. 1
    To loosen the strings that attach the hood on the bird's head.

    "Now I unstrike, and at my whistle heard, Upcircling skyward springs my gentle bird Condemned through many centuries to search For some true Christian whereupon to perch."

  2. 2
    To restore text that has been struck out.

    "This case involves the power of the trial court to strike an answer, keep it stricken, and enter a default judgment. Woodruff tried to "unstrike" her answer by filing an amended one."

  3. 3
    To cause a blow not to have occurred.

    "Sare, you apologise at me, you shake hands to me, you beg pardon from me, but can you unstrike me?"

Example

More examples

"Now I unstrike, and at my whistle heard, Upcircling skyward springs my gentle bird Condemned through many centuries to search For some true Christian whereupon to perch."

Etymology

From un- + strike.

Related phrases

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.