spike
(Informal)
[noun]
Synonyms:
- point, barb, prong, spine
[verb]
Synonyms:
- impale, spear, spit, stick

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. spike¹ /spaɪk/ noun [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Origin: Probably from Middle Dutch]

1. something long and thin with a sharp point, especially a pointed piece of metal

2. [usually singular] a sudden large increase in the number or rate of something
spike in
a spike in interest rates

3. spikes [plural] shoes with metal points on the bottom, worn by people who run races, play golf etc

4. spike heels [plural] a pair of women’s shoes with very high thin heels

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. spike² verb

1. [transitive] to secretly add strong alcohol or a drug to someone’s drink or food
spike something with something
The orange juice had been spiked with gin.

2. [intransitive] if the number or rate of something spikes, it increases quickly and by a large amount:
New telephone orders have spiked in the last two years.

3. [transitive] to push a sharp tool or object into something

4. [transitive] to prevent someone from saying something or printing something in a newspaper:
a clumsy attempt to spike rumours of a cabinet split

5.
a) spike the ball American English to powerfully throw an American football down on the ground to celebrate a touchdown
b) [intransitive and transitive] to powerfully hit a volleyball down over the net

6. spike sb’s guns British English to spoil an opponent’s plans

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲