strikingly
UK: ˈstraɪkɪŋli | US: ˈstraɪkɪŋli
adv. in a way that attracts attention or is impressive
adv. to a noticeable or remarkable degree
The word "strikingly" derives from the verb "strike," which originally meant "to hit" (Old English strīcan). Over time, "strike" evolved to include figurative meanings like "to impress vividly." The suffix "-ing" forms the present participle, turning the verb into an adjective ("striking"), and "-ly" converts it into an adverb. The progression reflects a shift from physical impact to metaphorical vividness.
The sunset was strikingly beautiful, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold.
Her performance was strikingly different from the others, capturing the audience’s attention.
The contrast between the two cultures was strikingly apparent.
He dressed strikingly for the event, standing out in a bold red suit.
The data shows a strikingly high correlation between the two variables.