Meaning & use
spike
A sharp point, or a sudden, sharp increase in an amount or level.
See it in a sentence
The fence was topped with metal spikes to deter intruders.
Hospitals reported a spike in flu cases after the holiday season.
A note on using this word
As a verb, spike can mean to secretly add alcohol or a drug to a drink, a sense worth knowing given its frequent use in warnings and news stories.
Words with a similar meaning
surgejump
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. verb
To secretly add alcohol or a drug to a drink or food.
Police warned partygoers that drinks had been spiked that night.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “spike”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.