1
as in to sparkle
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 to trigger
to cause to function
interesting questions that are designed to spark the reader's brain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to provoke
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 glimmer
a very small amount
not a spark of interest in the actress's memoirs
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spark
Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 9 June 2026
That’s when the idea sparked for Fountain of Life.
—Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2026
Jessi Roti, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 June 2026
Enjoy the spark, but keep your standards high.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for spark
Verb
Perry and Trudeau first sparked romance rumors in July 2025, which fueled when Trudeau showed up to the Montreal stop of the Lifetimes tour.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 9 June 2026
That’s when the idea sparked for Fountain of Life.
—Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2026
Noun
That speaks to the latest spark of innovation, care, and commitment that’s spread across the local food scene, where unprecedented times call for all hands (and knives and pans) on deck.
—Jessi Roti, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 June 2026
Enjoy the spark, but keep your standards high.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for spark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spark
Verb
-
The 55 year old styled her blonde hair in a side part with soft chest-length curls, framing a multi-watt statement crystal necklace and a pair of sparkling stud earrings.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
8 June 2026
-
Queen Latifah, who is presenting at this year's ceremony, walked the red carpet in a sparkling black look.—
Hedy Phillips,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
An antigen is the active ingredient in a vaccine meant to trigger an immune-system response and fight off infection.—
Teresa Mull,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
-
The benchmark has triggered frequent northern lights showings since then, though auroral activity is expected to lessen the more time passes from the cycle’s peak.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Are they designed to flatter progressive sensibilities or provoke them?—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
-
Civil-rights movements that challenge an oppressive status quo usually provoke a disproportionate response; in fact, the strategy of nonviolent resistance depends on it.—
Rob Wolfe,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
This cool pearl blonde glimmers against a buttery backdrop for a sparkling champagne effect.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
-
Formative minutes stretched on for eternity — winning a track competition, a first kiss — but eight weeks flashed by in a hot hazy glimmer.—
Sophia Solano,
Washington Post,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
The glowing green letters emerge ominously against a dark backdrop.—
M. Gessen,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
-
Pedestrians swerve between packs of police, horns honk at teenagers blocking the street, neon restaurant signs glow.—
Taylor Swinton,
Washington Post,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
-
Even 15 minutes of disconnection allows the brain’s default mode network to activate, when memory consolidation and creative connections actually occur.—
William Jones
June 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
While most college broadcast-journalism programs tend to encourage would-be talent to ditch their regional accents in favor of a more neutral, untraceable delivery, TV pros who came up in the bigs aren’t subject to that sort of verbal nullification.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
12 June 2026
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The event, called Fulfillment Center, was geared toward people of all ages who were encouraged to come, put their phone in a cotton bag and engage with one of the many activities centered around reading, writing, making and playing at a long, communal table.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The splash ended in an instant.—
Kelsey Ables,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
-
The lines are clean and sharp, the palette muted, approaching grayscale (which makes later splashes of color, like in the gaudy decor of a talk show or the blood-rust-red of a post-apocalyptic sky, pop even more), and motion within the frame is kept to a minimum.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spark. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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