spike

²spike

verb

spikedspik·ing

Definition of SPIKE

transitive verb

1

: to fasten or furnish with spikes

2

a : to disable (a muzzle-loading cannon) temporarily by driving a spike into the vent b : to suppress or block completely <spiked the rumor>

3

a : to pierce or impale with or on a spike b : to reject (as a story) for publication or broadcast for editorial reasons

4

a : to add an alcoholic beverage to (a drink) <spiked the punch> b : to add a foreign substance to <spike the coffee with tranquilizers> c : to add something highly reactive (as a radioactive tracer) to d : to add vitality, zest, or spice to : liven <spiked the speech with humor> <spike the broth with peppers>

5

: to drive (as a volleyball) sharply downward with a hard blow; also : to throw down sharply <spiked the ball in the end zone>

6

: to undergo a sudden sharp increase in (temperature or fever) <the patient spiked a fever of 103°>

intransitive verb

: to increase sharply <battery sales spiked after the storm>

— spik·er noun

Examples of SPIKE

1. Someone spiked the punch at the party.
2. The medication caused his blood pressure to spike.
3. She spiked the ball and scored the winning point.
4. After he scored a touchdown he spiked the ball in the end zone.

First Known Use of SPIKE

1624

Related to SPIKE

Synonyms: gore, harpoon, jab, lance, peck, pick, pierce, pink, puncture, run through, skewer, spear, impale, spit, stab, stick, transfix, transpierce

Antonyms: damp, dampen, deaden, dull, kill

Related Words: spindle; perforate, riddle; bayonet, dirk, gimlet, pike, poniard, prong, quill; pinprick, poke, prick, punch, thrust; cut, knife, slice

Near Antonyms: burn out, debilitate, do in, drain, enervate, enfeeble, exhaust, fag, fatigue, harass, kayo, knock out, sap, tucker (out), undermine, wash out, weaken, wear, wear out, weary; check, curb, inhibit, jade, quell, quench, repress, restrain, slow, still, stunt, suppress; daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Broadcasting Terms

continuity, dissolve, fade, feed, remote, residual, wipe