spark

spark

verb

Definition of SPARK

1

to give off sparks <the broken radio sparked and smoked the instant it was plugged in>

Synonyms scintillate, sparkle

Related Words flash, shine, twinkle; blaze, burn, combust, flame, flare (up), glow, light (up), radiate, scintillate

2

to cause to function <interesting questions that are designed to spark the reader's brain>

Synonyms actuate, crank (up), drive, move, run, set off, spark, start, touch off, trigger, turn on

Related Words kick over, turn over; charge, electrify, energize, fire, fuel, generate, power, push; discharge, launch, release, switch, trip; reactivate, recharge; arouse, excite, jump-start, kick-start, stimulate, vitalize; ignite, incite, instigate, provoke, quicken, stir up; accelerate, catalyze, speed (up), step up

Near Antonyms arrest, brake, check, cut off, draw up, halt, jam, stall, stick, stop; decelerate, repress, slow, stunt, suppress

Antonyms cut, cut out, deactivate, kill, shut off, turn off

3

to rouse to strong feeling or action <President Kennedy's inspirational speeches sparked a generation of young idealists to enter the public arena>

Synonyms arouse, encourage, excite, fire (up), impassion, incite, instigate, move, pique, rev (up), spark, stimulate, stir

Related Words fan, ignite, inflame (also enflame), kindle, trigger; activate, animate, drive, energize, galvanize, induce, inspire, key (up), motivate, motive, pump up, quicken, set off, vitalize; abet, ferment, foment, raise, whip (up); anger, enrage, madden, upset; jeer, taunt, tease; aggravate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, get, irritate, vex

Near Antonyms calm, soothe, subdue, tranquilize (also tranquillize); appease, mollify, pacify, placate