1
as in stabbing
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 stimulating
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 spiking
During last January’s winter storm, Dunn said, Oncor noticed those types of accidents spiking just as ice started accumulating.
—
Sue Ambrose, Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026
Emergency department visit rates for flu are spiking throughout the country, most notably in the South and Northeast, where rates exceeded the national average.
—Zachary W. Binder, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2026
What’s encouraging is that there is substance behind the improvement, with the Jets’ xG spiking in his minutes over the past three games.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Legislative audits continue to expose the executive frailty of our state, and spiking property tax assessments leave residents in a state of constant irritation.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 14 Jan. 2026
But Volcker’s tough medicine was credited in large part for taming the rampant inflation of the era, a record that persisted for decades until the COVID pandemic recovery briefly sent inflation rates spiking.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Neurons compile input signals from multiple sources into a spiking output.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 12 Jan. 2026
There are ways to enjoy juice without spiking your blood sugar, including by diluting the juice with water.
—Health, 9 Jan. 2026
This year's flu surge is spiking earlier and faster than in recent years so local health officials are asking people to avoid emergency rooms when possible to keep them available for critical cases.
—Phillip Sitter, Des Moines Register, 8 Jan. 2026
Sue Ambrose, Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026
Emergency department visit rates for flu are spiking throughout the country, most notably in the South and Northeast, where rates exceeded the national average.
—Zachary W. Binder, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2026
What’s encouraging is that there is substance behind the improvement, with the Jets’ xG spiking in his minutes over the past three games.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Legislative audits continue to expose the executive frailty of our state, and spiking property tax assessments leave residents in a state of constant irritation.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 14 Jan. 2026
But Volcker’s tough medicine was credited in large part for taming the rampant inflation of the era, a record that persisted for decades until the COVID pandemic recovery briefly sent inflation rates spiking.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Neurons compile input signals from multiple sources into a spiking output.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 12 Jan. 2026
There are ways to enjoy juice without spiking your blood sugar, including by diluting the juice with water.
—Health, 9 Jan. 2026
This year's flu surge is spiking earlier and faster than in recent years so local health officials are asking people to avoid emergency rooms when possible to keep them available for critical cases.
—Phillip Sitter, Des Moines Register, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiking
Verb
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These findings could be consistent with testimony from Peres Magalhães that Banfield manipulated the crime scene after stabbing his wife.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
23 Jan. 2026
-
After stabbing her, Redd is accused of taking her car and driving off.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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More than two-thirds believe business investment will be stronger in 2026 than in 2025, likely the result of huge spending on artificial intelligence, but also tax changes stimulating investment.—
Steve Liesman,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
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Rats housed in stimulating environments filled with toys, running wheels and social interaction developed larger, more complex brains than rats kept in standard cages.—
Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse,
The Conversation,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
From the costume-picking process to the crazy disguises stars must wear off camera, keep scrolling for the wildest rules contestants on The Masked Singer must follow.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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Other photos show them on the sand with their arms around each other and sharing a kiss, with Tatum picking her up and holding her over his head at one point.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Bring to a gentle simmer; cook, stirring occasionally and reducing heat if needed, until flavors meld, 10–15 minutes.—
Chris Morocco,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook uncovered without stirring.—
Kelly Brant,
arkansasonline.com,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Testing is also challenging, as finding a leak requires puncturing the spinal canal, which can create new leaks.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
17 Jan. 2026
-
The past two months of mostly sideways churn within 3% of record highs for the S & P 500 has helped to rebalance the market, puncturing the aggressive sense of destiny around many AI plays, subduing some speculative misbehavior and allowing valuations to settle.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
20 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Though none of the celebrity moms in question have publicly spoken about the drama, earlier this week, Koma, whom has also produced several of Duff's songs in the past, shared a meme to his Instagram Story jabbing Tisdale French's piece in The Cut.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Jan. 2026
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Yet the reception was precisely as if Happy Mondays had made a surprise appearance—people jabbing the air, hips swinging with merry abandon, wearing the sort of grins usually observed under bucket hats.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
28 Nov. 2025
Verb
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They have been placed one by one atop dressmaker pins, piercing the appendage all over.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
26 Jan. 2026
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The iconic spire of the Sustainability & Innovation Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai rises in the background, subtly piercing the mist.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Spray the rack with cooking spray to keep food from sticking.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
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The network quickly moved to censor a transgressive sitcom parody where soon-to-be-Ramones-manager Danny Fields tries to cure a TV repairman’s hemorrhoids by sticking a lightbulb up his ass.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spiking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiking. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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