variants
also spikey
as in barbed
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Recent Examples of spiky
Her hair was mostly swept up into a bun, emphasizing the straight line of her slightly spiky new bangs.
—
Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 27 Aug. 2023
And the finale, two lobsters — brown and spikier than their US relativesbut much sweeter, more like crab — split in half and over what must be a pound of spaghetti.
—Helene Stapinski, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Mar. 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
Romeo, played on this preview night by understudy Brandon Antonio, becomes a deliciously dim himbo, and Wolfe, as a Renaissance housewife desperate to breathe the air out there, brings a great, spiky irreverence to her disgruntled Anne.
—Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 18 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for spiky
Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 27 Aug. 2023
And the finale, two lobsters — brown and spikier than their US relativesbut much sweeter, more like crab — split in half and over what must be a pound of spaghetti.
—Helene Stapinski, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Mar. 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
Romeo, played on this preview night by understudy Brandon Antonio, becomes a deliciously dim himbo, and Wolfe, as a Renaissance housewife desperate to breathe the air out there, brings a great, spiky irreverence to her disgruntled Anne.
—Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 18 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for spiky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiky
Adjective
-
The actress is clearly relishing the opportunity to deliver Aaron Sorkin’s barbed dialogue (though perhaps not as much as Philip Seymour Hoffman, who steals the show as an explosive CIA functionary).—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Watch this just for all the quick lands and barbed moments here alone.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Clever, caustic, caring and competitively ruthless.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Oasis is known the world over as the supergroup containing the infamously caustic pair of brothers, Noel Gallagher and Liam Gallagher.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The time to be sardonic had passed.—
Eddie Huang,
Curbed,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The Hollywood actor’s devilish features and unmistakable crackling voice make for a pitch-perfect pair with Solnicki’s sardonic sensibility.—
Manuel Betancourt,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
There are even some savory notes that pop, like sweet and sour barbecue and a bit of umami soy sauce, but these are evened out by sweeter and spicier flavors like vanilla, black pepper, and honey.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Also known as sour tea, hibiscus tea is rich in antioxidants, including vitamin C, carotenoids, and anthocyanins.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In previous administrations, Defense Department officials — including the acerbic Rumsfeld — would hold regular press briefings, often twice a week.—
Tom Bowman,
NPR,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The host, Scotty, is an acerbic jerk who saves his meanest digs for Richter’s Mickey.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
That goes for bars of pungent soap, essential oils, sonic repellant devices, and hanging up pennies in bags of water, a favorite Internet myth.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The pungent smell of weed pervaded the arena as YoungBoy performed an eclectic set, showcasing the breadth of songs in his catalog.—
Jayson Buford,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
As a model named Carl, stuck in a relationship corrupted by microcelebrity and Instagram view counts, Dickinson ticks with exasperation and sarcastic logic, his jaw clenched, his eyes wide and staring.—
Carrie Battan,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Following the mother-daughter duo of Lorelai Gilmore, played by Lauren Graham, and Rory, played by Alexis Bledel, Gilmore Girls was perfectly made for millennials, packed with wistful romances, frustrating dramatic turns and just enough sarcastic jokes.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Pot the hibiscus in a pot filled with acidic potting mix.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
20 Oct. 2025
-
The petals close due to the DNA folding when the environment becomes acidic.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spiky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiky. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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