SPIKY Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

spiky

adjective

variants also spikey

Definition of spiky

as in barbed

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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 spiky During his two-year spell in North London, Postecoglou also reveals the decidedly spikier side to his character. — Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 Jasmine petals, one of my favorite floral notes, is given a spikier edge alongside Australian pink pepper, while raspberry and spun sugar add a pleasing sweetness without being too much. — Venus Wong, refinery29.com, 30 Oct. 2024 Common snappers range from Nova Scotia to the Gulf of Mexico, while their spikier cousins are mostly found in the southern states west to Texas. — Paul Richards, Field & Stream, 1 Nov. 2023 These ads document the EV arms race playing out right now as companies beef up their electric offerings with higher profiles, spikier bodies, and more imposing grilles. — Curbed, 8 Feb. 2023 See All Example Sentences for spiky

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiky

Adjective

Up the other side of the ravine there is another fence, much like the first, but without the barbed wire.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026
Light tubes, chains, scaffolds, chairs and a barbed wire table all made an appearance.

— Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of barbed

Adjective

His relationship with the media also became caustic, with Mourinho boycotting press conferences and sending assistant Aitor Karanka instead.

— Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Marsh was a fearless critic, rarely holding back even with his most caustic and controversial views.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of caustic

Adjective

It is loosely based on his 2000 memoir Kitchen Confidential, which revealed the raw chaos of restaurant kitchens in Bourdain's signature sardonic humor.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026
But Cheekface will still be here, filtering our depraved mutterings into sardonic bangers.

— Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of sardonic

Adjective

Venezuelan oil, by contrast, is heavy, sour sludge, which can more easily be distilled into asphalt, industrial oils, diesel and jet fuel.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
And of course, any bottle that has an unpleasant smell, sour taste, or lots of floating particles or mold is spoiled and should be thrown out.

— Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of sour

Adjective

Yiannopoulos’ acerbic and at times hateful speech attracted the fury of students who argued his views should not be platformed.

— Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Malgorzata Szumowska, Michal Englert) Aimee Lou Wood and Johnny Flynn are superb as Anna and Fyodor Dostoevsky in Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert’s acerbic and joyful period film.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of acerbic

Adjective

When a radish is cut, bitten, or crushed, its cells are damaged, triggering an enzyme called myrosinase to break down the glucosinolates into various metabolites, including pungent compounds known as isothiocyanates.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026
The pungent smells of pot smoke and someone else’s urine compete with the dank smell of the canal.

— Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of pungent

Adjective

The department’s post drew skeptical and sarcastic reactions from commenters who wondered whether the missing $30 called for a public search.

— Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Our second president, John Adams, was said to have had a sarcastic demeanor and made biting remarks about his contemporaries.

— John Blumenthal, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of sarcastic

Adjective

That’s because acidic foods such as tomatoes and oranges may react with aluminum foil, causing a metallic taste or slight discoloration, but don’t worry.

— Bianca Lambert, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026
If the pH gets too acidic, nitrogen uptake is greatly reduced, leading to a deficiency in the plant, even if there’s plenty of nitrogen in the potting soil.

— Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of acidic

Browse Nearby Words

spiking

spiky

spile

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“Spiky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiky. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of spiky

adjective

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