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.

Oil prices, which had spiked more than five percent earlier Monday, pare earlier gains, and on Tuesday they were down.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

The rate of inflation had spiked to a 40-year high of 7.2% by mid-2022.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 23, 2026

Prices had spiked in recent days as concerns grew that Iran could disrupt global supplies by blockading the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for oil and gas.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2025

He said two or three of his 1,800 cows had spiked a virus on Oct.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 29, 2024

By the end of the first week, interest in the project had spiked to such a level that we had to move the meetings out of our small cabin, to the fire pit.

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken