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
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Recent Examples of sparks
Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
Our mission is to create bold, cinematic film and television that challenges perception, sparks conversation, and leaves a lasting emotional imprint.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 1 June 2026
The moon in Sagittarius, however, highlights your finances and resources before the Capricorn moon sparks productive conversations and practical problem-solving.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Prevent sparks by ensuring trailer chains do not drag on roadways and avoiding parking hot equipment on dry grass.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 31 May 2026
Investigators ask for patience after video sparks protests The police department provided the findings of the investigation to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for an independent review of any criminal violations, Fraser said.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
The narrative of the campaign opens with the robot studying the emotions, intensity, and energy of football fans, an experience that sparks its curiosity about the game.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
Continue reading … TROPIC TERROR — String of dead women found in popular American tourist getaway sparks hunt for killer.
—FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Vivaia Round-Toe Satin Sneakerina Her pair is the rounded-toe Satin Sneakerina, a sneaker-ballet hybrid that sparks some debate.
—Eva Thomas, InStyle, 22 May 2026
Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
And yet year after year, the casting team does such an incredible job of finding the secret sauce amongst the cast to really make those sparks fly and make the show exciting.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2026
The two stars strike sparks in one famously contentious scene.
—Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
According to the TikTok star, sparks did not fly at first, though.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
A lot of great footballers capture the imagination with their dynamism or sparks of brilliance.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 May 2026
There’s deep, poetic honor in the grueling fight to rebuild a standard; to find the creative sparks and opportunism required to surprise the world again.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
As a friendly reminder, the weather service urged residents to dispose of cigarettes properly, avoid charcoal grills and limit outdoor activities that may create flames or sparks.
—Christian Cervantes, AZCentral.com, 17 May 2026
Verb
Brith, who is ahead and in charge, is taking as her guide the stream, which sparks in the sunlight, cutting a narrow channel through the hillside, weaving itself around rocks and tree trunks, appearing and disappearing, diving underground then springing up in unexpected places.
—Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
Our mission is to create bold, cinematic film and television that challenges perception, sparks conversation, and leaves a lasting emotional imprint.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 1 June 2026
The moon in Sagittarius, however, highlights your finances and resources before the Capricorn moon sparks productive conversations and practical problem-solving.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Prevent sparks by ensuring trailer chains do not drag on roadways and avoiding parking hot equipment on dry grass.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 31 May 2026
Investigators ask for patience after video sparks protests The police department provided the findings of the investigation to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for an independent review of any criminal violations, Fraser said.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
The narrative of the campaign opens with the robot studying the emotions, intensity, and energy of football fans, an experience that sparks its curiosity about the game.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
Continue reading … TROPIC TERROR — String of dead women found in popular American tourist getaway sparks hunt for killer.
—FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
Vivaia Round-Toe Satin Sneakerina Her pair is the rounded-toe Satin Sneakerina, a sneaker-ballet hybrid that sparks some debate.
—Eva Thomas, InStyle, 22 May 2026
Noun
Brith had shut her eyes, finding that the sparks were still living on the inside of the lids, vivid in their dangerous dark.
—Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
And yet year after year, the casting team does such an incredible job of finding the secret sauce amongst the cast to really make those sparks fly and make the show exciting.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2026
The two stars strike sparks in one famously contentious scene.
—Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
According to the TikTok star, sparks did not fly at first, though.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
A lot of great footballers capture the imagination with their dynamism or sparks of brilliance.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 31 May 2026
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 May 2026
There’s deep, poetic honor in the grueling fight to rebuild a standard; to find the creative sparks and opportunism required to surprise the world again.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
As a friendly reminder, the weather service urged residents to dispose of cigarettes properly, avoid charcoal grills and limit outdoor activities that may create flames or sparks.
—Christian Cervantes, AZCentral.com, 17 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparks
Verb
-
As its name suggests, this pool is nestled in a canyon above UC Berkeley’s Memorial Stadium, where its blue water sparkles amid the green forest.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
-
Isabelle Huppert sparkles in sequins at the Cannes Film Festival closing ceremony in France on May 23.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
That's because June 1 triggers salary cap mechanisms for allowing the team to trade the star receiver.—
Armando Salguero,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
By the time the 2030 census triggers the next redraw, virtually every state will redraw again, with partisan advantage as the primary goal.—
Bruce Sibley,
Time,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Such a statistic often provokes a familiar gamut of responses from those who read it, from shock, disgust and anger to a debilitating sense of helplessness.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
Likewise, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon recently warned that the bond market will ultimately prove to be the factor that provokes some action from DC when investors begin to demand higher premiums to continue buying debt.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
The locks are designed for outdoor installations too, with an IP65 weather resistance rating for protection against rain, splashes and dust.—
Paul Lamkin,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
Try your coffee warm or iced, with some cinnamon and a few splashes of unsweetened almond milk.—
Karen Berger,
Verywell Health,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
The rich color palette brings warmth and depth, while the fluid scarf silhouette adds an effortless elegance that practically glows on the dance floor.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
30 May 2026
-
In Los Angeles, Jennifer Lopez glows in a green gown at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, while Jean Smart and Kaitlin Olson are a couple of cutie costars at the Hacks Season 5 FYC Event.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The same circadian system that morning sunlight activates can be reinforced or undermined by what’s screwed into your lamps for the next 14 hours.—
Allison Palmer
June 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
-
Mercury in Cancer, for instance, activates your partnership sector — followed by the sun later this month — bringing focus to romantic, business or close one-on-one dynamics.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Each line encourages a body to shift when uttered or even when read silently to oneself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
To her daughter, 8-year-old Hazel (Nola Wallace), Paula is the fun parent, a mom who encourages ice cream for dinner, embraces cursing, enthusiastically participates in TikTok dances, and even coaches her daughter’s youth soccer team.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Collapsing floor There have been glimmers of a reset among some startups this year.—
Hugh Son,
CNBC,
1 June 2026
-
Longtime Caribbean correspondent Marc Lacey returns to a country that’s seen decades of volatile governance and catastrophic natural disaster, and finds glimmers of the Haiti of his youth.—
Judnick Mayard,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparks. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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