variants
also spikey
as in barbed
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
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
-
The fence, as constructed, is more than 8 feet tall and is topped with a strand of barbed wire — too high for many animals to jump and dangerous for those that attempt to do so.
-
Vines have grown through the fence and barbed wire surrounding a tall art deco building in this city’s downtown, and cigarette holders and empty food tins litter the tall weeds.
Adjective
-
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.
-
Hostile and caustic had a different meaning in 1962.
Adjective
-
Cavill, absent from the proceedings for long stretches, remains a sturdy presence as the most buff screen Sherlock ever, while Helena Bonham Carter is again reliably amusing as Enola and Sherlock’s sardonic mother Eudoria.
-
And Milly’s being this sort of seething, disconnected, sardonic character who is more of an observer.
Adjective
-
A little sweet, a little sour, oh-so-refreshing—a limoncello spritz will never disappoint.
-
Some were a little thrown off by the vegetable note, but overall, most felt like this one was a good balance of sweet and sour.
Adjective
-
At a moment when technology companies were promising to bring people closer together, David Fincher’s acerbic drama about the founding of Facebook had a darker theory about why people wanted to connect in the first place.
-
The comedian, 38, best known for his role as the acerbic gay best friend Elliott Goss in HBO’s Search Party, chose our meeting place to take advantage of the balmy late-May weather and to say goodbye to the neighborhood.
Adjective
-
The club is located in Lancaster County, surrounded by chicken and dairy farms that give off a pungent odor of fermenting feed and manure.
-
Italian sauvignon blanc offers an alterative that is typically subtler, more textured and less dependent on those pungent aromatics.
Adjective
-
This is taken as evidence of his status, not a sarcastic criticism.
-
On Monday night, Contreras was ejected in the second inning after a check-swing strikeout prompted him to give a sarcastic ABS challenge gesture at the umpire, earning an instant boot.
Adjective
-
Avocado, tomatillos, a serrano pepper, and lime are mixed together in just five minutes to make a bright and acidic dip that's served best with your favorite tortilla chips.
-
It’s absorbed without needing food or a highly acidic environment.
Cite this Entry
“Spiky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiky. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
