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
The culprits were pandemic-era supply chain bottlenecks, high demand fueled by massive fiscal stimulus, and then the Russia-Ukraine war spiking energy prices.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 June 2026
Not only did geopolitical tensions and overseas conflicts result in a spiking oil price, but inflation has been surging, too.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 1 June 2026
On Thursday, Dell announced another quarter of impressive results, with total revenue surging almost 88% and AI server revenue spiking 757%.
—Garrett Downs,hayley Cuccinello,jordan Novet, CNBC, 29 May 2026
The aluminum market is facing a deepening shortage as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz throttles supply, with spot prices for the metal spiking while exchange inventories slump.
—Mark Burton, Bloomberg, 29 May 2026
For example, Biden aggressively tapped the SPR after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, spiking gasoline prices above $5 a gallon for the first time ever.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
While the Ebola caseload is not spiking, the number of locals exposed to infection via health workers has been rising.
—Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
With skills gaps spiking from 25% to 62% in a single quarter, that illusion is becoming harder to sustain.
—Noah Barsky, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
While the Ebola case load is not spiking, the number of locals exposed to infection via health workers has been rising.
—Rodney Muhumuza, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 June 2026
Not only did geopolitical tensions and overseas conflicts result in a spiking oil price, but inflation has been surging, too.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 1 June 2026
On Thursday, Dell announced another quarter of impressive results, with total revenue surging almost 88% and AI server revenue spiking 757%.
—Garrett Downs,hayley Cuccinello,jordan Novet, CNBC, 29 May 2026
The aluminum market is facing a deepening shortage as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz throttles supply, with spot prices for the metal spiking while exchange inventories slump.
—Mark Burton, Bloomberg, 29 May 2026
For example, Biden aggressively tapped the SPR after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, spiking gasoline prices above $5 a gallon for the first time ever.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
While the Ebola caseload is not spiking, the number of locals exposed to infection via health workers has been rising.
—Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
With skills gaps spiking from 25% to 62% in a single quarter, that illusion is becoming harder to sustain.
—Noah Barsky, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
While the Ebola case load is not spiking, the number of locals exposed to infection via health workers has been rising.
—Rodney Muhumuza, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiking
Verb
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Advertisement In the fight, Ruben begins to strangle Niall, though Niall protects himself by stabbing Ruben in the side with a knife.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
29 May 2026
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The 23-year-old man was suicidal and held a butcher’s knife to his own throat before charging at officers and stabbing both Officer Mark Moore and a police dog at an Aurora apartment complex.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
28 May 2026
Verb
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The honors program provides students with innovative and stimulating academic programming through high-impact learning practices.—
Aegis,
Baltimore Sun,
28 May 2026
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Cinnamon can be used for everything from germination to protecting plants from pests and diseases, from stimulating plant growth to as a natural antiseptic, fungicide, and pest repellent.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
23 May 2026
Verb
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The parliamentary election will decide the next government, with the winning party picking the prime minister.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
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There is not one set rule on picking a captain, especially for a World Cup.—
Michael Lewis,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
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At Eau Bar during early sunset, spring for a poolside lounger to catch a soul-stirring ceremony of bodu beru drummers walking the edge of a circular infinity pool, torch-lighting a fire ring backed by a fading horizon.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
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The Human Is Staying In The Picture (Mostly) Screenwriter and director Paul Schrader, at nearly 80 years old an unlikely technology provocateur, delivered a talk at AI on the Lot peppered with pot-stirring takes.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Officials say there's still time to mitigate the explosion by puncturing Timmy's carcass or cutting the vessel open completely.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
26 May 2026
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Memories linger from past hurricanes with limbs puncturing roofs, car windows smashed and lives disrupted.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Verb
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The threats just keep jabbing at America’s borders.—
Donald G. McNeil Jr,
Washington Post,
1 June 2026
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The president has kept up his criticism of Leo, jabbing the pope in a May 4 interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on the eve of Rubio’s visit.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Verb
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It’s designed to deter unwanted encounters by attracting attention with a piercing siren and strobe light when the top is pulled.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
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My laugh is loud, if not to say piercing.—
Megan McArdle,
Washington Post,
31 May 2026
Verb
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The sun’s connection to Saturn shows that sticking it out was the right call.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
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That's not to say fundamental investors should be ostriches, sticking their heads in the ground and avoiding the big picture and market trends.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spiking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiking. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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