1
as in sparkles
to give off sparks
the broken radio sparked and smoked the instant it was plugged in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sparks
Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Their collaboration sparks unlikely friendships and sets off consequences none had anticipated.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2026
Today, Ai-Da's work sits inside a major cultural institution and sparks real debate.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Regular communication to senior leadership sets expectations and builds the case for continued investment; communication across the company generates future initiatives, builds grassroots support and sparks a healthy degree of FOMO.
—Jennifer Belissent, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Everything from adults-only zones on planes to child-free weddings sparks controversy online.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 28 Jan. 2026
Over the course of minutes or hours, this arc can grow and move until a substorm sparks; that’s when the lights are at their boldest and most saturated.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 27 Jan. 2026
For southern states less equipped for the cold, the forecast sparks fears of a repeat of the 2021 Texas freeze or the bitterly cold winter storm that battered New Orleans in January 2025.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 25 Jan. 2026
Cleaning a moka pot is a topic that often sparks debate.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 Jan. 2026
Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
Because this eclipse squares Uranus, sparks can fly unexpectedly.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
Pedro Pizarro, chief executive of Edison International, the utility’s parent company, has said that a leading theory is that a century-old, dormant transmission line in Eaton Canyon briefly became energized that night, causing sparks that ignited the fire.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
FlightRadar24 reports that about 40 seconds after the aircraft lifted off the runway, sparks began to emerge from the right main landing gear.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Con Edison said the fire damaged an underground cable, which knocked out power to neighbors in the area, triggering overhead sparks and flames that left more than 300 without power overnight.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
The stars are said to have real chemistry, the kind that could cause sparks to fly with the right distributor.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Morning news carries curious sparks forward.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 19 Jan. 2026
Ensure chains or metal parts on vehicles aren't dragging to prevent sparks.
—Brandi D. Addison, Oklahoman, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
Lake Zurich 18-9 (3) Addison Leonard’s outstanding defense against Libertyville star Lily Fisher sparks the Bears, who surge to the top of the North Suburban Conference.
—Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Their collaboration sparks unlikely friendships and sets off consequences none had anticipated.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2026
Today, Ai-Da's work sits inside a major cultural institution and sparks real debate.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Regular communication to senior leadership sets expectations and builds the case for continued investment; communication across the company generates future initiatives, builds grassroots support and sparks a healthy degree of FOMO.
—Jennifer Belissent, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Everything from adults-only zones on planes to child-free weddings sparks controversy online.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 28 Jan. 2026
Over the course of minutes or hours, this arc can grow and move until a substorm sparks; that’s when the lights are at their boldest and most saturated.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 27 Jan. 2026
For southern states less equipped for the cold, the forecast sparks fears of a repeat of the 2021 Texas freeze or the bitterly cold winter storm that battered New Orleans in January 2025.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 25 Jan. 2026
Cleaning a moka pot is a topic that often sparks debate.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
Viewers may see the early sparks of a Francesca-Michaela relationship soon.
—Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
Because this eclipse squares Uranus, sparks can fly unexpectedly.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
Pedro Pizarro, chief executive of Edison International, the utility’s parent company, has said that a leading theory is that a century-old, dormant transmission line in Eaton Canyon briefly became energized that night, causing sparks that ignited the fire.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
FlightRadar24 reports that about 40 seconds after the aircraft lifted off the runway, sparks began to emerge from the right main landing gear.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Con Edison said the fire damaged an underground cable, which knocked out power to neighbors in the area, triggering overhead sparks and flames that left more than 300 without power overnight.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
The stars are said to have real chemistry, the kind that could cause sparks to fly with the right distributor.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Morning news carries curious sparks forward.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 19 Jan. 2026
Ensure chains or metal parts on vehicles aren't dragging to prevent sparks.
—Brandi D. Addison, Oklahoman, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparks
Verb
-
The natural grass field sparkles with lush green and football lines painted onto the surface.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
One of the most magical ways to experience the Eiffel Tower doesn't require a ticket; simply watch the nightly illuminations, when the landmark sparkles for five minutes every hour, on the hour.—
Todd Plummer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In the brain, the virus leads to an immune response that triggers inflammation, can damage brain cells, and can even shrink brain volume, according to research on imaging studies that was published in March 2022 in the journal Nature.—
Stephanie Armour,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Turns out the combination of hot liquid, salt and easily digestible carbohydrates triggers multiple comfort responses in our bodies.—
Cheryl Russell,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Fogel is always looking for the visual angle that provokes an emotional response.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
22 Jan. 2026
-
This ends up being just one of Aemond’s defining moments, which further provokes war.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Reviewers say the boots have a great grip, even on slick sidewalks, and love that the higher shaft helps block out splashes and snowbanks.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Not for escapism, per se – Roseberry’s Schiaparelli show, one of his finest and weirdest to date, vibrated with implications about our world’s rigid definition of beauty, with horns, feathers and splashes of neon – but for indulgence.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Each packs several pieces of shrimp in a thick, chewy wheat-starch wrapper that glows almost silvery under the light.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The bill was able to move forward after Castillo agreed to a carve-out for GloFish, a type of fish that glows due to the insertion of Green Flourescent Protein (GFP) into its DNA.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of recognizing the tumor as an invader that needs to be destroyed, the brain processes the signal and activates the sympathetic nervous system, mainly known as the driver of the fight-or-flight response.—
Jacek Krywko,
Scientific American,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Warm water increases gastric volume (the amount of contents in the stomach) and activates stretch receptors in your stomach, which send signals of fullness, Dardarian adds.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Outside,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lindenmeyr encourages them to push their flight back a day, book a five-star hotel in their airport city, and take advantage of pre-flight spa treatments, great dining, and local entertainment.—
Erik Buckingham,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Rather, the legislation encourages agencies to develop plans that offer remote work to the fullest extent possible, which the state engineers union noted is consistent with language already outlined in the Department of General Services existing Statewide Telework Policy.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In non-theme park play, the game revolves around Illumineers, glimmers, inklands, a lorebook and other buzzwords and actions that are important to players.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Jan. 2026
-
There’s still a long way to go to restore his status as a promising prospect, but there have been glimmers of hope the last couple weeks.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparks. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
