1
as in stabbed
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 stimulated
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 spiked
Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Beth Copeland found a spiked bat and handed it to her husband, who added to Harwood’s misery.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026
Rita Omokha, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026
This year, a Homeland Security shutdown created hours-long security lines; an elective war with Iran spiked the cost of fuel and ticket prices.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for spiked
Adjective
On a more personal level, the war boosted gas prices past $6 a gallon and spiked inflation worries.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Beth Copeland found a spiked bat and handed it to her husband, who added to Harwood’s misery.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026
Verb
Sales spiked 33% the weekend the song dropped.
—Rita Omokha, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026
This year, a Homeland Security shutdown created hours-long security lines; an elective war with Iran spiked the cost of fuel and ticket prices.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for spiked
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiked
Adjective
-
Still, even with the Justice Department approving the WBD merger late last week without any concessions, the Paramount Skydance’s CEO’s happy face masked some spikey obstacles to the merger from overseas and in state houses over Ellison’s strategic bear hug with the ex-Apprentice host.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
15 June 2026
-
Other diamonds have spikier settings resembling thorns.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
Verb
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In a 2021 court decision, an incarcerated man had tried to sue Bureau of Prisons officials after his cellmate stabbed him and left him blind in one eye.—
Christie Thompson,
NPR,
17 June 2026
-
Young climbed into a box, which Strange then stabbed repeatedly, prompting groans from the audience.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
So, that just keeps them stimulated and keeps their day really interesting.—
Monique John,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
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The revving of the AI hype cycle into the coming mega-IPOs will likely keep the bullish traders stimulated.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Devil's Rope Museum in McLean, Texas Roughly an hour's drive from Amarillo, the Devil's Rope Museum is an interesting stop, with exhibits dedicated to the history of Route 66 in Texas, as well as the importance of barbed wire and its impact on the American West.—
Elizabeth Rhodes,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2026
-
Johnson was initially refused entry, but got inside by using a set of stairs to hop a barbed wire fence, prosecutors said.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Players like Charlie Sifford (first Black player to earn a PGA Tour card), Lee Elder (first Black player in the Masters) and Calvin Peete (12 wins on the PGA Tour) are on the short list of African-Americans who pierced golf's racial barrier.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
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Once the water boils, add the florets and cook until the largest pieces can be easily pierced with a knife, 8 to 12 minutes.—
Carole Kotkin,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Clark’s passion for coffee was stirred far from Los Gatos.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
-
The flames were visible to anyone driving or walking down Columbus Drive, and the sight in the public park stirred emotions and shocked many.—
Elyssa Kaufman,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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Irregular, edges catch oil differently, crisping into jagged, craggly bits while softer interior pockets hold onto dressing, broth, or sauce—the kind of varied texture that makes each bite its own.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
18 June 2026
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As pests crawl through it, its jagged edges scrape their exoskeletons, dehydrating and killing them.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
18 June 2026
Verb
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The helium-balloon hype of potentially going undefeated through the final three rounds of the playoffs has been punctured and now it’s gone for good.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
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Deputies said that the stab wound, which punctured the woman's lung, did not appear to be life-threatening.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spiked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiked. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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