What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
surge
Example
The company saw a surge in sales after the new product launch. [surge: noun]
Example
The crowd surged forward towards the stage. [surged: verb]
Example
I felt a surge of excitement when I heard the news. [surge: noun]
spike
Example
There was a spike in COVID-19 cases after the holiday season. [spike: noun]
Example
She accidentally stepped on a spike and hurt her foot. [spike: noun]
Example
I felt a spike of pain in my back when I lifted the heavy box. [spike: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spike is less common than surge in everyday language, but is still widely used in specific contexts such as sports, medicine, and technology.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between surge and spike?
Both surge and spike are neutral in terms of formality, and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
