Synonyms of sparks

sparks 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of spark

1

as in sparkles

to give off sparks

the broken radio sparked and smoked the instant it was plugged in

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sparkles
• glows
• flashes
• shines
• burns
• scintillates
• flames
• blazes
• twinkles
• combusts
• lights (up)
• radiates
• flares (up)

2

as in triggers

to cause to function

interesting questions that are designed to spark the reader's brain

Synonyms & Similar Words

• triggers
• activates
• drives
• fuels
• powers
• generates
• ignites
• moves
• starts
• provokes
• fires
• sets off
• actuates
• turns on
• charges
• cranks (up)
• runs
• pushes
• touches off
• electrifies
• stimulates
• launches
• energizes
• switches
• arouses
• releases
• excites
• trips
• discharges
• incites
• turns over
• reactivates
• accelerates
• recharges
• instigates
• kicks over
• catalyzes
• quickens
• speeds (up)
• stirs up
• jump-starts
• kick-starts
• vitalizes
• steps up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• kills
• cuts
• stops
• brakes
• arrests
• turns off
• cuts out
• shuts off
• sticks
• checks
• jams
• halts
• stalls
• cuts off
• slows
• deactivates
• suppresses
• draws up
• represses
• decelerates
• stunts

3

as in provokes

to rouse to strong feeling or action

President Kennedy's inspirational speeches sparked a generation of young idealists to enter the public arena

Synonyms & Similar Words

• provokes
• encourages
• stimulates
• stirs
• inspires
• arouses
• excites
• incites
• moves
• motivates
• piques
• motives
• instigates
• triggers
• ignites
• fires (up)
• induces
• drives
• impassions
• revs (up)
• kindles
• activates
• galvanizes
• inflames
• animates
• fans
• energizes
• builds a fire under
• angers
• keys (up)
• sets off
• quickens
• vitalizes
• foments
• bothers
• enrages
• whips (up)
• upsets
• raises
• ferments
• taunts
• pumps up
• teases
• gets
• jeers
• maddens
• annoys
• irritates
• abets
• aggravates
• exasperates
• vexes
• galls

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calms
• soothes
• subdues
• tranquilizes
• appeases
• placates
• pacifies
• mollifies

sparks

2 of 2

noun

plural of spark

as in splashes

a very small amount

not a spark of interest in the actress's memoirs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• splashes
• glimmers
• specks
• touches
• sprinklings
• hints
• little
• bits
• traces
• licks
• particles
• flecks
• shadows
• spatters
• rays
• dabs
• suspicions
• smacks
• streaks
• bites
• shreds
• smells
• nips
• slivers
• shades
• crumbs
• drops
• pinches
• handfuls
• scruples
• peanuts
• driblets
• dashes
• soupçons
• strains
• drams
• spots
• ounces
• snaps
• mites
• scintillas
• smidgens
• skoshes
• molecules
• aces
• parts
• atoms
• fragments
• drops in the bucket
• grains
• dots
• tastes
• motes
• scraps
• granules
• hoots
• splinters
• doses
• flakes
• vestiges
• syllables
• jots
• semblances
• smatterings
• patches
• nibbles
• shivers
• minima
• shards
• scatterings
• portions
• sections
• minims
• morsels
• chips
• clippings
• shavings
• flyspecks
• iotas
• modicums
• whits
• nubbins
• tatters
• parings
• tittles
• smatters
• smithereens
• shots

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loads
• masses
• quantities
• piles
• heaps
• lots
• mountains
• deals
• stacks
• bundles
• barrels
• buckets
• bushels
• reams
• rafts
• pecks
• messes
• gobs
• oodles
• abundances
• scads
• lashings
• wads
• fistfuls
• boatloads
• much
• wealths
• volumes
• profusions
• excesses
• overflows
• surpluses
• potfuls
• plenties
• passels
• embarrassments
• bonanzas
• chunks
• overages
• superfluities
• slabs
• overmuch
• lumps
• hunks
• overkills
• oversupplies
• overabundances
• superabundances
• surfeits

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sparks

Verb

Their move back from the United States sparks questions about security, their formal role — and whether the couple could overshadow the official royal family. — Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026

But what really sparks for me is the connection with the employees and the connection with the customers. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 18 Aug. 2026

On March 16, 2025, sparks from indoor fireworks hit the ceiling of the Pulse nightclub in Kočani, North Macedonia. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

The event also sparks discussion about potential upsets, given recent surprising results in the sport. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Ahead, find an orange, lemon, grapefruit, or bergamot perfume that sparks joy for you. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 12 Aug. 2026

Butterflycore attempts to bring the effortless joy of nature indoors with decor that sparks happiness. — Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2026

Southern California Edison Investigators conclude that sparks from a tower owned by California’s second largest utility caused the 2025 Eaton Fire in Altadena that killed 19 people and destroyed 9,400 homes and businesses. — Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026

On July 22nd, sparks from a piece of heavy machinery ignited a fire near the town of Burgohondo, in Ávila province. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026

Noun

Hayden Panettiere's death sparks renewed backlash against Neutrogena Do boycotts work? — Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

As the plane sped down the runway, air traffic controllers and a witness on the ground noticed sparks coming from near its wheels. — Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

This bold decision has already yielded immediate offensive sparks, demonstrating that strategic flexibility can lead to unexpected and positive results for the team. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Smith was operating equipment, reportedly a chainsaw, that did not comply with fire prevention requirements and was capable of producing sparks, according to Cal Fire. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026

He was arrested on suspicion of recklessly causing a fire, after operating equipment capable of producing sparks near wildland fuels. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Any small scraps left behind after cleaning can also cause sparks during cooking. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 July 2026

Fires can be caused by sparks from agricultural machinery, lightning strikes, an errant cigarette or even intentional arson. — ABC News, 24 July 2026

These bottles are made of metal; trying to warm liquids inside them in a microwave causes sparks to fly. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2026