spike 1 of 2

noun

Definition of spikenext
1
as in dart

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2
as in jump

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Dissimilar Words

spike

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to stab
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 to stimulate
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 spike
Noun
Unsurprisingly, data center power demand underpins the investment spike. — Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The giveaway produced a 1,500-person waitlist, a 5% newsletter bump, a nice Instagram spike, and a few submissions. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
As businesses reopened almost overnight, inventories at every level of the supply chain had run dry, demand surged, and freight rates spiked to record levels at a moment when there were simply not enough trucks on the road. — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 The tense standoff underscores surging settler violence in the occupied West Bank, where attacks have spiked under Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government and Palestinians report dozens killed so far this year. — Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spike
  1. dart
  2. jump
  3. stab
  4. stimulate
  5. spear
  6. upturn
  7. pierce
  8. stir
Noun
  • There, Noronha wrasse—the archipelago’s namesake cleaner fish—dart among surgeonfish, sergeant majors, grunts, parrotfish, and groupers.
    — Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The dart to Odunze came with Williams flushing to his right away from pressure in the end zone and then putting a heater on his receiver, who had created separation against Jaylon Johnson.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of dart
Noun
  • His earlier display of emotion made the song’s meaning hit even harder — and as the crowd erupted into jumps and shouts of glee, Smith stood there, a grin growing on his lipsticked mouth.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Timber roofs, wood floors and interior framing in historic buildings are extremely vulnerable to fire and can let fire jump building to building, but the load-bearing masonry shell often survives.
    — Giorgia Giardina, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of jump
Verb
  • Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) Communications via AP Hines stabbed Jenkins to death while the 54-year-old was working as a motel maid in Kingston Springs.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Lunceford eventually began moving toward doors leading outside, where the stabbing victim was being treated and roughly a dozen other workers were nearby.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of stab
Verb
  • According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Lactobacillus rhamnosus can stimulate immune responses that promote or prevent specific allergic symptoms.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Strength training, in particular, helps stimulate bone growth and may boost bone mineral density.
    — Jessica Starr, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of stimulate
Noun
  • In Kris’ case, that obsession was with Camp Miasma, its tortured villain Little Death, and the oversexualized victims who ended up on the other end of Little Death’s spear, terrible sequel after terrible sequel.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The Oakland Police Department on Thursday released a compilation video of officer body camera footage of the fatal shooting last month of a man wielding two homemade spear-like devices at officers.
    — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of spear
Noun
  • After July’s momentum wreck, bullish market sentiment retreated from extreme levels, setting the table for last week’s upturn.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
  • While Georgia Ports Authority is pleased at the upturn, all the economic and global uncertainty has led to guarded predictions for the future.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of upturn
Verb
  • Poy was wounded in a second land mine explosion that pierced his face and body with shrapnel and killed three of his colleagues.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Multiple bullets pierced Bridegan’s body and vehicle – one just inches from his toddler, Bexley, who was uninjured and crying, still strapped into her car seat, according to CNN affiliate WJXT, which cited prosecutors.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of pierce
Verb
  • Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until macaroni is tender, 7 to 9 minutes.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2026
  • High inflation and a currency crash triggered widespread protests that led to a brutal crackdown in January, and some officials in Tehran are concerned today’s economic woes could stir more unrest.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of stir

Browse Nearby Words

spigots
spike
spiked
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Cite this Entry

“Spike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spike. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of spike for Spanish Speakers

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