1
as in sparkles
to give off sparks
the broken radio sparked and smoked the instant it was plugged in
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in triggers
to cause to function
interesting questions that are designed to spark the reader's brain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in splashes
a very small amount
not a spark of interest in the actress's memoirs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of sparks
Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
That small question sparks an incredible journey filled with mystery, time travel, battles, and ancient beings known as Watchers.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
What starts as Jasmine’s hustle to land a business deal quickly sparks into a connection neither of them saw coming.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
As a book by the late Virginia Giuffre sparks new international interest in Jeffrey Epstein, House Republicans are still downplaying the need for a vote on releasing the Justice Department’s case files.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Making things with your hands will shift your brain into problem-solving mode and sparks creativity in ways staring at a screen never will.
—Cas Holman, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … ANCESTRAL ECHOES – 4,270-year-old skull discovered by Indiana landowner sparks investigation, testing.
—FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Avoid excess heat, flames, and sparks.
—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
The protagonist’s diabolical plot is fuelled by an unmanageable tangle of emotions, including raging jealousy, mercenary self-interest, and resentment of Eileen’s professional and intellectual accomplishments, which sparks shame at her own cosseted frivolity.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
John Archibald, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2025
Even sparks or embers carried by the wind can ignite nearby leaves or grass, triggering a fire that spreads rapidly.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2025
At its core, the connection reading sparks is deeply personal.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 22 Oct. 2025
Antique or fragile glass items may also shatter under heat, and glassware finished with metallic trims or decorations can cause sparks or fires.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
The romantic sparks transcended the boundaries of the screen, with the pair dating in real life from 2007 to 2010.
—Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Mexico’s ‘anti-Hamilton’ musical sparks debate A controversial musical depicting the Spanish conquest of Mexico has ignited a transatlantic debate over Latin American history and identity.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Plus, the steel construction guarantees to serve as a safeguard against sparks.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2025
The warnings issued by both Gray and Caribou NWS offices reiterate that even small sparks under these conditions could cause rapid fire spread.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
Content creators now use it for just about anything and its appearance often sparks raucous reactions, like in September when a crowd erupted in cheers after an In-N-Out employee called out order number 67.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
That small question sparks an incredible journey filled with mystery, time travel, battles, and ancient beings known as Watchers.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
What starts as Jasmine’s hustle to land a business deal quickly sparks into a connection neither of them saw coming.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
As a book by the late Virginia Giuffre sparks new international interest in Jeffrey Epstein, House Republicans are still downplaying the need for a vote on releasing the Justice Department’s case files.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Making things with your hands will shift your brain into problem-solving mode and sparks creativity in ways staring at a screen never will.
—Cas Holman, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … ANCESTRAL ECHOES – 4,270-year-old skull discovered by Indiana landowner sparks investigation, testing.
—FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Avoid excess heat, flames, and sparks.
—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
The protagonist’s diabolical plot is fuelled by an unmanageable tangle of emotions, including raging jealousy, mercenary self-interest, and resentment of Eileen’s professional and intellectual accomplishments, which sparks shame at her own cosseted frivolity.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
Those sparks have found tinder to burn hot, and the government itself is stoking the flames.
—John Archibald, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2025
Even sparks or embers carried by the wind can ignite nearby leaves or grass, triggering a fire that spreads rapidly.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2025
At its core, the connection reading sparks is deeply personal.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 22 Oct. 2025
Antique or fragile glass items may also shatter under heat, and glassware finished with metallic trims or decorations can cause sparks or fires.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
The romantic sparks transcended the boundaries of the screen, with the pair dating in real life from 2007 to 2010.
—Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Mexico’s ‘anti-Hamilton’ musical sparks debate A controversial musical depicting the Spanish conquest of Mexico has ignited a transatlantic debate over Latin American history and identity.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Plus, the steel construction guarantees to serve as a safeguard against sparks.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2025
The warnings issued by both Gray and Caribou NWS offices reiterate that even small sparks under these conditions could cause rapid fire spread.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparks
Verb
-
Head to Grote Markt, where the Renaissance Town Hall sparkles with lights and the historic homes that fringe the square are illuminated after dark.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
27 Oct. 2025
-
On the Riviera, nothing sparkles quite like a Hitchcock blonde.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Nitrogen triggers new growth that will be killed when freezing temperatures hit.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Trading below $1 over a consecutive 30 trading-day period triggers a warning.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Through her restraint, Roberts provokes in us some semblance of empathy for her character – in a movie where everyone else is basically monstrous.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Every action provokes a reaction.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Designed by Hot Lab, the interiors are a study in contrast, with marble and precious stones playing against soft fabrics and neutral tones juxtaposed with bold splashes of color and pop art.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Meanwhile, the rugged, waterproof build handles poolside splashes without drama.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Dusted with snow and adorned with red berries and pine cones, each pre-lit tree glows with 130 warm white lights.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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Nearby, Cherry Creek North’s Winter Wanderland glows with nearly a million lights, festive pop-up bars, and a holiday market featuring more than 40 local artisans.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The fat overload in astrocytes and microglia activates inflammatory pathways.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Oct. 2025
-
In Ibadan, the biennial activates the New Culture Studio designed by Demas Nwoko (1970), exploring urban and architectural dimensions of confinement.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of scrolling through Instagram—or, admittedly, hitting the snooze button a few too many times—Vig encourages you to spend that time sprucing up your space.—
Kelsey Mulvey,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
-
In children and adolescents, physical activity promotes bone health; encourages healthy growth and the development of muscle; and improves motor and cognitive development.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Directed by Olivier & Tony Award nominee Jeremy Herrin (People, Places and Things; Wolf Hall) and MacMillan, Every Brilliant Thing revolves around a man who looks back at his life and the glimmers of hope that carried him through.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Well, that’s where the Golden State truly glimmers.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparks. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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