spiky

adjective

variants also spikey
Definition of spikynext
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
  1. barbed
  2. caustic
  3. sardonic
  4. sour
  5. acerbic
  6. pungent
  7. sarcastic
  8. acidic
Adjective
  • Another drone created a smoke screen while still more blasted through triple-layered barbed wire.
    — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026
  • The train station hulked behind barbed wire, abandoned for years, both witness to and eight million bricks’ worth of evidence of Detroit's near-collapse.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
Definition of barbed
Adjective
  • Disappointment has been the overriding theme of McGregor’s public life since his championship heyday, which ended with an emphatic, caustic loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018.
    — Mark Puleo, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • Rohmer’s caustic cynicism Conversely, a filmmaker of the French New Wave who has seen his stock rise during the last few years is Eric Rohmer, championed by Noah Baumbach among others.
    — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Definition of caustic
Adjective
  • Her sardonic wit, which rivals that of LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, Courtney Love and David Byrne, shines throughout the album.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 24 July 2026
  • The Leeds quartet built a reputation on sardonic observations about modern life, packaging political unease inside wiry post-punk.
    — Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2026
Definition of sardonic
Adjective
  • Salt suppresses bitterness while sweetness softens the sour edges.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • Always Dilute Into a Soil Drench Kail emphasizes the importance of never pouring full-strength yogurt straight onto garden soil, as thick dairy can block oxygen, sour, or attract flies.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 29 July 2026
Definition of sour
Adjective
  • The novel follows Lila Dixon, an acerbic, cynical baseball scout living a dreary and closed-off life in her 30s.
    — Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • So Knox introduces Juliette to the acerbic ex-miner Mark Chambers, who also tells Madame Mayor to forget about Lukas.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 17 July 2026
Definition of acerbic
Adjective
  • Separate bowls are suggested if wanting to ferment more pungent foods.
    — Shirl Leigh July 16, New Atlas, 17 July 2026
  • These compounds have a strong, pungent odor that many insects, including grubs, find repulsive.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026
Definition of pungent
Adjective
  • The other sarcastic superhero-ed character that makes a few cameos in the film has their own connection to Spider-Man – again, centered on loneliness and eventually learning to open up from their own recent film.
    — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • In the present, Lara meets Mari, a sarcastic and blunt high school tomboy who competes as a boxer.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
Definition of sarcastic
Adjective
  • Blueberries are easy to grow when provided with acidic soil, consistent moisture, and adequate sunlight, Martha explains.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 July 2026
  • In a separate experiment, researchers at PNNL fed the acidic BPMED stream to cultures of the fast-growing microalgae.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 July 2026
Definition of acidic

Browse Nearby Words

spiking
spiky
spile
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spiky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiky. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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