1
as in to stab
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
scorpions use their stinger-equipped tails to spike their prey
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to stimulate
to give life, vigor, or spirit to
he spiked what otherwise would have been a dry economic lecture with some jokes and anecdotes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in jump
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spike
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
Too much insulin is produced, which causes a spike in carbohydrate metabolism, and phosphate, potassium, and thiamine flow out of the blood and into cells.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2025
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
After averaging south of 25 minutes a game last season, look for the point guard’s playing time to spike back toward the 27-28 minute range.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spike
Verb
If there are no new nodes, cut the spike down close to the base, leaving about 1 inch still attached.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
Too much insulin is produced, which causes a spike in carbohydrate metabolism, and phosphate, potassium, and thiamine flow out of the blood and into cells.
—Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
Under former President Richard Nixon and, later, former President Jimmy Carter, gold prices spiked—rocketing from $35 in 1970 to $850 in 1980, a more than 2,300% increase.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
After averaging south of 25 minutes a game last season, look for the point guard’s playing time to spike back toward the 27-28 minute range.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spike
Verb
-
The man accused of fatally stabbing a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee on a commuter train in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on a charge that could result in the death penalty, court records show.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Mechanic Paolo Mainardi and dressmaker Antonella Migliorini were found shot and stabbed the following June.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This powerhouse ingredient, beloved by dermatologists and editors alike, is known for its ability to speed cell turnover and, in doing so, stimulate collagen production to smooth wrinkles and fade dark spots.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Those numbers will likely stimulate even further investment in circular offerings in the sector.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The secondary allowed Jackson Arnold’s 46-yard dart to Cam Coleman in the second quarter, and Jeremiah Cobb was ready right out of halftime for his 41-yard run.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
19 Oct. 2025
-
The chicken scene generally captures the way Orlean can cast a thoughtful eye over her life’s experiences and still manage to be funny while not dismissing the darts life threw at her.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Data from Cincinnati Public Schools shows that the district had 4,326 homeless students in the 2024-25 school year, a 77% jump from a decade prior.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
21 Oct. 2025
-
In the video, Noel can be seen propelling herself up the steps on her back legs and making the jump onto the couch where her small dog bed was positioned.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Produced before the gag order was lifted, the four-part docuseries One Night in Idaho turns its focus to the families, friends and community members still wrestling with the aftermath, offering a piercing look at a case with many unanswered questions.—
James Mercadante,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The grotesque details—the uncle’s fingernails piercing his hands, the dog’s permanent terror of rabbits—are simply there.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Add bacon and cook until crisp, stirring occasionally, 5 to 6 minutes.—
Ann Taylor Pittman,
Southern Living,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Rose Glass' directorial debut is an ecclesiastical horror that offsets the fine line between devotion and delusion, all while stirring the painful emotions of loneliness and trauma.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Guests learn navigation, shelter building, spear making, and foraging for wild foods, along with fire-starting and astro-navigation techniques.—
Essence,
Essence,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Asparagus boasts 89 micrograms (mcg) of folate per four spears.—
Molly Burford,
Verywell Health,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This week saw Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos descending on the Eternal City to announce the streaming giant’s plans to help revive a storied cinema, as well as a host of international TV executives mooting the possibility of an upturn that could pull the global drama biz out of its recent doldrums.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Under Brown’s leadership, McLaren has seen a dramatic upturn in fortunes in F1, winning the constructors’ championship for the last two years.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spike. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share