1
as in stabs
to penetrate or hold (something) with a pointed object
scorpions use their stinger-equipped tails to spike their prey
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in stimulates
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
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 spikes
Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
The chance of rain and storms spikes late in the afternoon, into the evening.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
The bill, shared first with Semafor, comes as the war in Iran spikes energy costs.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 26 Mar. 2026
The metal spikes and rails mysteriously installed earlier this year on downtown Austin planter-box benches have been removed.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026
By Nathan Risser, Bloomberg California’s energy regulator is keeping a close watch on the state’s gasoline market for potential price gouging as the Iran war spikes oil and fuel costs around the globe.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Individual plants live for 300 years with attractive, but sterile, red flower spikes.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
He’s successfully advocated for creating new incentives for affordable housing construction and automatically renewing a program that freezes property values for some seniors, heading off big bill spikes from rising property values.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Gas prices and airfare are increasing as the cost of oil spikes more than a week into war with Iran.
—Hannah Sampson, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
The team identified a continuous midline feature that began as a fleshy crest along the neck and trunk and transitioned over the hips into a single row of spikes running down the tail — each spike positioned over a single vertebra and fitted to each other.
—Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
Cortisol and melatonin work like a seesaw — when one spikes, the other drops.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
The chance of rain and storms spikes late in the afternoon, into the evening.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
The bill, shared first with Semafor, comes as the war in Iran spikes energy costs.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 26 Mar. 2026
The metal spikes and rails mysteriously installed earlier this year on downtown Austin planter-box benches have been removed.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026
By Nathan Risser, Bloomberg California’s energy regulator is keeping a close watch on the state’s gasoline market for potential price gouging as the Iran war spikes oil and fuel costs around the globe.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Individual plants live for 300 years with attractive, but sterile, red flower spikes.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
He’s successfully advocated for creating new incentives for affordable housing construction and automatically renewing a program that freezes property values for some seniors, heading off big bill spikes from rising property values.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Gas prices and airfare are increasing as the cost of oil spikes more than a week into war with Iran.
—Hannah Sampson, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spikes
Noun
-
The event, a change in pace from the foundation’s annual poker tournament, also included live karaoke, bowling, darts and a live auction that included autographed sports memorabilia.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
There's also a jukebox, darts and an outdoor patio.—
Keith Pandolfi,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Skiers still hit the jumps and fly through the air off the multiple ski jumps in a way that connects generations.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Do quick, small jumps using mostly your ankles, landing each time softly with a tiny bend in the knees.—
Jim Diehl CSCS,
Outside,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But this person who was a friend, who owes her career to me, just stabs me in the back.—
Maer Roshan,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Bautista stabs and shoots his assailants in an operatic eruption of violence that is done in a single, extended shot.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Beta-glucan also stimulates the release of GLP-1 from the gut, sending hormonal signals of fullness to the brain.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2026
-
This molecule directly stimulates bone-building cells, helping increase bone density and strength.—
Hadia Zainab,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some of the Bindjareb attempted to escape, while others grabbed their spears, and at least five Bindjareb individuals were killed in the resulting skirmish.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
1 Apr. 2026
-
There are bundles of taut chives still topped with blossoms, sweet and tender spears of asparagus, and creamy new potatoes all waiting to be snapped up.—
Editors of Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Eligibility extensions Some college athletes, such as quarterback Diego Pavia, who most recently played for Vanderbilt University, have sued the NCAA to extend their eligibility beyond the current limit of four seasons and five calendar years.—
Andrew Urbaczewski,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
-
During similar situations in the past, the Rams awarded then record-breaking extensions to defensive lineman Aaron Donald, running back Todd Gurley and quarterback Jared Goff.—
Los Angeles Times staff,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Joel, a 19‑year veteran, begins pursuing after another officer deploys a spike strip and punctures the Challenger's tires.—
Kelsy Mittauer,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The narrower design, combined with the several sharp teeth, effectively punctures through tough pepper skin and hard fruits to cut out the core and remove seeds in a matter of seconds.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Warhorses charge, lances down, crashing through the tilts as lances break on shields and men topple from their steeds.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Three or four decades ago, the newspaperman was appealingly raffish—at once a bum who drank too much and a knight-errant who charged unafraid at social injustice, succored the weak, and crossed lances with the powerful and arrogant.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spikes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spikes. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
