variants
or less commonly spikey
spikier; spikiest
1
: of, relating to, or characterized by spikes
spiky barbed wire
2
: sharply irritating or acerbic (as in temper or manner)
Examples of spiky in a Sentence
a plant with spiky leaves
He has a spiky personality.
Recent Examples on the Web
During his two-year spell in North London, Postecoglou also reveals the decidedly spikier side to his character.
—
Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Jasmine petals, one of my favorite floral notes, is given a spikier edge alongside Australian pink pepper, while raspberry and spun sugar add a pleasing sweetness without being too much.
—Venus Wong, refinery29.com, 30 Oct. 2024
Common snappers range from Nova Scotia to the Gulf of Mexico, while their spikier cousins are mostly found in the southern states west to Texas.
—Paul Richards, Field & Stream, 1 Nov. 2023
How Stem Segments Tell the Difference The Thanksgiving cactus has the spikiest stem segments of the three varieties, and its pollen is yellow.
—Emma Phelps, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for spiky
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Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Jasmine petals, one of my favorite floral notes, is given a spikier edge alongside Australian pink pepper, while raspberry and spun sugar add a pleasing sweetness without being too much.
—Venus Wong, refinery29.com, 30 Oct. 2024
Common snappers range from Nova Scotia to the Gulf of Mexico, while their spikier cousins are mostly found in the southern states west to Texas.
—Paul Richards, Field & Stream, 1 Nov. 2023
How Stem Segments Tell the Difference The Thanksgiving cactus has the spikiest stem segments of the three varieties, and its pollen is yellow.
—Emma Phelps, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for spiky
Cite this Entry
“Spiky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiky. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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