spiky

[spahy-kee]

adjective

spikier, spikiest 

1. having a spike or spikes. spike.

2. having the form of a spike; spikelike.

3. acid or peevish in temper or mood; prickly.

ˈspiky

/ ˈspaɪkɪ /

adjective

1. resembling a spike

2. having a spike or spikes

3. informal,  ill-tempered

4. characterized by violent or aggressive methods

   spiky protestors

Other Word Forms

• spikily adverb
• spikiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of spiky¹

First recorded in 1570–80; spike ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

The stress and uncertainty of these conversations is palpable but, remarkably, so is a spiky sense of humor.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I stumble, and my foot slices against one of the spiky thorns on the thicket wall.

Read more on Literature

A large swath of the country, from eastern Washington to western Arkansas, is currently facing an avalanche of hard and spiky bouncing beach-balls of the noxious, unpleasant weed.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“My mother thought the company of other children unnecessary and over-stimulating,” writes Jessica Mitford in her spiky and enthralling memoir, “Hons and Rebels.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The climb had to be done in stages through a rocky moonscape, crossing a sea of spiky ice and then the snow of the domed summit with its staggering views across Central Asia.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• annoying 
• biting 
• caustic 
• harsh 
• irritating