spiked 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of spikednext
as in spiky

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spiked

2 of 2

verb

past tense of spike
1
as in stabbed
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object scorpions use their stinger-equipped tails to spike their prey

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in stimulated
to give life, vigor, or spirit to he spiked what otherwise would have been a dry economic lecture with some jokes and anecdotes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 spiked
Adjective
Nunn’s North look was complete with a spiked choker necklace and long black nails. — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2026 Wearing spiked gloves, a helmet and protective padding, the 5-foot-6, 205-pound LaPenna held his own against all three bots. — Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
Employment in political organizations has historically spiked heading into midterm or presidential elections, according to a BLS analysis. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 9 Nov. 2026 According to the Commonwealth Fund, the US uninsured rate spiked from 9 percent in 2024 to 11 percent in 2026. — Dylan Scott, Vox, 5 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spiked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiked
  1. spiky
  2. stabbed
  3. stimulated
  4. barbed
  5. pierced
  6. stirred
  7. jagged
  8. punctured
Adjective
  • Still, even with the Justice Department approving the WBD merger late last week without any concessions, the Paramount Skydance’s CEO’s happy face masked some spikey obstacles to the merger from overseas and in state houses over Ellison’s strategic bear hug with the ex-Apprentice host.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 15 June 2026
  • This will be a bumper quarter for oil and gas shareholders, who have always learned to stick it out through the doldrums for spikey periods like this.
    — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of spiky
Verb
  • Police have arrested a 27-year-old former NYPD cop and city substitute school aide for the murder of Brooklyn jogger Katie Suarez, who was stabbed to death during a run along the Brooklyn waterfront, multiple police sources said Saturday.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Prosecutors say the teen stabbed a 16-year-old boy in the upper chest with a 4-inch kitchen knife, seriously injuring the victim.
    — Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of stabbed
Verb
  • The zaps boosted their performance on the task, but afterward the participants were less willing to engage in other cognitively demanding tasks than those whose brains weren’t stimulated, suggesting higher mental fatigue.
    — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The researchers found that adjusting the concentration of these antigens on the viral structure changed how effectively the vaccine stimulated an immune response.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of stimulated
Adjective
  • The documentary is more workmanlike than inspired, although Osder and Youmans ensure that its title has a deeper, barbed meaning.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Palestinian activist Eid Hatlin said barbed wire in the yard was placed by settlers.
    — Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of barbed
Verb
  • Prosecutors showed medical examiner photos of Sluganski's workshirt, pierced by two bullet holes, and a slug retrieved from his Kevlar vest.
    — Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Add 2 tablespoons of the salt, and bring to a boil over high; boil until potatoes are tender when pierced using a fork, 12 to 15 minutes; drain.
    — Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of pierced
Verb
  • Upcycling was not Marchetto’s thing, but something in the job description stirred him up.
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Though the mood at his event was mostly one of defeat, Hilton stirred the crowd with a promise to help Republicans break the Democratic supermajority in the state Legislature in 2028.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of stirred
Adjective
  • John Homme sings at the jagged, forlorn beginning of the ninth Queens of the Stone Age album.
    — Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2026
  • As with his previous films, Iñárritu tells his story using scenes out of order so that the pieces fall together in a jagged form that heightens the tension.
    — Ray Bennett, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of jagged
Verb
  • This is punctured by a wailing refrain from Lyons, whose runs serve as a continual anchor to the jazz tradition throughout his time with Taylor.
    — Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
  • State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said the ammonia tank was found and did not appear to be punctured or leaking.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of punctured

Browse Nearby Words

spike
spiked
spikelike
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Cite this Entry

“Spiked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiked. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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