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
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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
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Recent Examples of spikes
Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
When demand spikes, the air is warmed again.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025
This recent history reminds us just how brutally inflation spikes can demolish market confidence.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
On hot days when residents and businesses need water most, data center water demand spikes too.
—Shaolei Ren, IEEE Spectrum, 10 Sep. 2025
But during peak tax filing months, his call volume spikes by over 50%.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Flower spikes open sequentially from the bottom to the top, with approximately twenty flowers per stem.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
Tokischa’s hair spikes out like jagged rays of an eccentric sun, bleached in a shade of unapologetic, brassy yellow.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 15 Aug. 2025
Once the moon enters your sign on Tuesday, your energy spikes, giving you the urge to go, go, go.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
The latest jobs market data confirmed mounting fears of a labor market heading in the wrong direction and the need for the central bank to move sooner rather than later before unemployment spikes.
—Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
When demand spikes, the air is warmed again.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025
This recent history reminds us just how brutally inflation spikes can demolish market confidence.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
On hot days when residents and businesses need water most, data center water demand spikes too.
—Shaolei Ren, IEEE Spectrum, 10 Sep. 2025
But during peak tax filing months, his call volume spikes by over 50%.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Flower spikes open sequentially from the bottom to the top, with approximately twenty flowers per stem.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
Tokischa’s hair spikes out like jagged rays of an eccentric sun, bleached in a shade of unapologetic, brassy yellow.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 15 Aug. 2025
Once the moon enters your sign on Tuesday, your energy spikes, giving you the urge to go, go, go.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spikes
Verb
-
The video shows Zarutska sit in a seat in front of Brown, who fixates on her and after several minutes pulls out a knife and stabs her several times in the neck, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.—
Danielle Battaglia,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Harrison stabs Prater with the needle and knocks the billionaire out.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The chemical targets a different system in the brain than standard antidepressants, triggering the release of glutamate, which stimulates the growth of new synapses between brain cells.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Vähäsarja vigorously rubbed some cups on Landers’s back—cupping creates a vacuum and stimulates blood flow—and turned the whole thing bright pink.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For something a little more laid-back, catch a show at Will’s Pub or play a round of darts and grab some drinks at beloved dive Wally’s Bar and Liquors.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The bodice mimics a button-down vest accented with bright gold buttons and flattering darts, while the skirt has subtle pleats at the top and flares into an A-line silhouette.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Upgrading your skills further adds new moves such as super jumps, rampaging charges, and powerful smash attacks.—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Other cities in metro Phoenix are seeing similar jumps; Glendale, for example, saw a price increase of 46 cents in the past month.—
Reia Li,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Recounting his visit with Shelton’s body after she’d been taken off of life support in From Bleak to Dark, Maron punctures the somber scene with a joke about taking a selfie.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Judge Lewis Liman will have to decide whether to allow any extensions of the deadline to accommodate late depositions.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
-
But the Cowboys, who gave out big extensions to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott, couldn't come to terms with him on a new deal, which led to Jones receiving plenty of criticism.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And who the f--- pierces a 12 year old?—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Just like tajín, chamoy makes a delicious accent for watermelon, jicama and cucumber spears.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spikes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spikes. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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