adjective
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resembling a spike
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having a spike or spikes
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informal ill-tempered
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characterized by violent or aggressive methods
spiky protestors
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of spiky
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The researchers compare the shape to the spiky burrs that cling stubbornly to shoes and clothing outdoors.
From Science Daily • Jun. 15, 2026
“SNL” is no stranger to spiky sketch comedy takes on motherhood: remember “Mom Jeans?”
From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2026
The sauce should feel awake — not spiky, not sour — just balanced enough that the richness doesn’t linger too long.
From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026
‘Humanize me a little,” says the petite woman in a cashmere sweater at the end of a forthright, occasionally spiky interview.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026
She got a spiky haircut over the weekend, though, with the ends dyed blue.
From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
