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
Later this month, Utah grief author Kouri Richins is set to stand trial after she was charged with spiking her husband's drink in 2022 with a fatal dose of fentanyl.
—
Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Lyst said the designer bag achieved its top traffic driving month in November spiking 291 percent in demand quarter-over-quarter.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 4 Feb. 2026
The brain relies on relatively sparse neurons that communicate with pulses in spiking patterns.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Feb. 2026
The measles rash often starts on the face and spreads downward, with concomitant fevers spiking dangerously to 104°F or higher.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Go at a slow, steady pace so the focus is on balance and control rather than on spiking your heart rate.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 30 Jan. 2026
However, pairing the two will have a gradual effect on your blood sugar rather than spiking it, thanks to the proteins and fats in Greek yogurt.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 28 Jan. 2026
Given the current budget shortfall, the price tag for keeping data centers from spiking utility rates should be a nonstarter.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2026
During last January’s winter storm, Dunn said, Oncor noticed those types of accidents spiking just as ice started accumulating.
—Sue Ambrose, Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026
Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Lyst said the designer bag achieved its top traffic driving month in November spiking 291 percent in demand quarter-over-quarter.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 4 Feb. 2026
The brain relies on relatively sparse neurons that communicate with pulses in spiking patterns.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Feb. 2026
The measles rash often starts on the face and spreads downward, with concomitant fevers spiking dangerously to 104°F or higher.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Go at a slow, steady pace so the focus is on balance and control rather than on spiking your heart rate.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 30 Jan. 2026
However, pairing the two will have a gradual effect on your blood sugar rather than spiking it, thanks to the proteins and fats in Greek yogurt.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 28 Jan. 2026
Given the current budget shortfall, the price tag for keeping data centers from spiking utility rates should be a nonstarter.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2026
During last January’s winter storm, Dunn said, Oncor noticed those types of accidents spiking just as ice started accumulating.
—Sue Ambrose, Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiking
Verb
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Mohammed Ahmad Hussein al-Halsi was sentenced in 2016 to 18 years behind bars for stabbing elderly women.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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Another Jefferson County circuit judge, Jessica Green, last year drew local and national criticism after granting shock probation to a 32-year-old man accused of abducting a mother and two children and stabbing the mother during a bank robbery.—
Monroe Trombly,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Protein helps build and preserve muscle by supplying amino acids and stimulating muscle protein synthesis, especially when coupled with strength training.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
9 Feb. 2026
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The researchers found that targeting this network with brain-stimulating treatments could better alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That’s impressive for a rebuilding team, but is anyone picking the Ducks over the Oilers in a playoff series?—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Only Nick Brinkerhoff is picking the Seahawks to win in blowout fashion, by a score of 34-17.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are on their way to tender (but not yet falling apart), 8 to 10 minutes.—
Holly Riordan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Feb. 2026
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Another method for cleaning silver involves filling an aluminum pan with hot water, salt, and baking soda, stirring until dissolved, and then soaking the pieces until a chemical reaction occurs that removes the tarnish.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Testing is also challenging, as finding a leak requires puncturing the spinal canal, which can create new leaks.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
17 Jan. 2026
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The past two months of mostly sideways churn within 3% of record highs for the S & P 500 has helped to rebalance the market, puncturing the aggressive sense of destiny around many AI plays, subduing some speculative misbehavior and allowing valuations to settle.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
20 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Mourinho shot off down the touchline, fingers jabbing the air, hugging a ballboy in jubilation.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
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Though none of the celebrity moms in question have publicly spoken about the drama, earlier this week, Koma, whom has also produced several of Duff's songs in the past, shared a meme to his Instagram Story jabbing Tisdale French's piece in The Cut.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Even better, Liu does it all while flaunting her signature bleached halo-dye hairstyle and smiley piercing.—
Jasmine Wynn,
Time,
9 Feb. 2026
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Her diamond dermal piercing was the perfect finishing touch for the emo girl-lite moment.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some sounds could indicate structural changes, so keep an eye on wall cracks and look out for sticking doors and windows.—
Jessica Elliott,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
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The goal was to give the family’s embryo—Guojun’s sperm and an anonymous donor’s egg—the best odds of sticking during the transfer, which was scheduled for July at Western Fertility Institute, a clinic in Los Angeles.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spiking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiking. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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