1
as in stabs
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
scorpions use their stinger-equipped tails to spike their prey
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in stimulates
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spikes
Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
The caveat is that the comparison is to 2024, an election year, when viewership typically spikes.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
Consider selling high if his value spikes.
—Jake Ciely, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
When stress spikes, the idea of taking a deep breath can seem like a futile life hack.
—Juli Fraga, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
Its power consumption spikes during takeoff, but researchers note the pattern closely mirrors the high metabolic cost of takeoff in living birds.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2025
Membership spikes during periods of uncertainty.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025
The latest jobs market data confirmed mounting fears of a labor market heading in the wrong direction and the need for the central bank to move sooner rather than later before unemployment spikes.
—Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
This recent history reminds us just how brutally inflation spikes can demolish market confidence.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
Reynolds said that when Swift releases an album, streaming of her previous work also spikes, and that will surely bring in even more money.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
The caveat is that the comparison is to 2024, an election year, when viewership typically spikes.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
Consider selling high if his value spikes.
—Jake Ciely, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
When stress spikes, the idea of taking a deep breath can seem like a futile life hack.
—Juli Fraga, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
Its power consumption spikes during takeoff, but researchers note the pattern closely mirrors the high metabolic cost of takeoff in living birds.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2025
Membership spikes during periods of uncertainty.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2025
The latest jobs market data confirmed mounting fears of a labor market heading in the wrong direction and the need for the central bank to move sooner rather than later before unemployment spikes.
—Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
This recent history reminds us just how brutally inflation spikes can demolish market confidence.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spikes
Verb
-
Alex breaks free and, in a panic, repeatedly stabs Evelyn with the syringe.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Spike takes one of Kelson's tranquilizer darts filled with morphine and stabs Samson in the arm with it.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The caffeine in coffee stimulates the nervous system.—
Team Verywell Health,
Verywell Health,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Connie and Tristan are testing a new drug that stimulates the feel-good dopamine receptors in the brain.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Spike takes one of Kelson's tranquilizer darts filled with morphine and stabs Samson in the arm with it.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Still, today’s announcement felt especially phoned in, as if the organizers threw darts at SNL musical guests and hoped for the best.—
Arielle Gordon,
Pitchfork,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Then a series of jumps to touch the crossbar, followed by a wiggle to either side and a final few star jumps.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Home price increases will likely remain more modest, avoiding double-digit jumps seen in the last few years, Clark added.—
Francesca Pica,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Recounting his visit with Shelton’s body after she’d been taken off of life support in From Bleak to Dark, Maron punctures the somber scene with a joke about taking a selfie.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Its elevation crest is unlike most venues, and the road-course extensions feel a bit more choppy than the turns from the main oval.—
Shane Connuck
October 3,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Perhaps some of the continuity upon which the Cavs are relying was forced by the franchise’s decisions in years past to sign all four of its core players to nine-figure contract extensions.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But the show's greatest asset is its stars, whose endearing real-life friendship pierces through the play’s inherent despair.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
-
When a leg pierces the surface, capillary forces cause the fan to spread open within milliseconds, creating a broad paddle.—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Or some good ol’ corn on the cob, or long broccolini spears.—
Ann Taylor Pittman,
Southern Living,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Hoosiers can hunt frogs with bow and arrows, clubs, some firearms, or simply, their hands, but Plumier teaches those gathered at Goose Pond how to use gigs — long, multi-pronged spears that look a little bit like tridents.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spikes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spikes. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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