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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in glimmer
a very small amount
not a spark of interest in the actress's memoirs
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spark
Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
In recent years the native land, one of Brazil’s first, has been invaded by thousands of land grabbers and miners, sparking frequent clashes with indigenous security forces.
—Adriana Brasileiro, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Moses Moody provided the spark Golden State needed, scoring 24 points off the bench.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spark
Verb
Tommy's new relationship with Mireya Garcia (Carmela Zumbado) has sparked a face-off with her brother and the leader of the vicious drug gang Insane Princes, Miguel (Manuel Eduardo Ramirez).
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
In recent years the native land, one of Brazil’s first, has been invaded by thousands of land grabbers and miners, sparking frequent clashes with indigenous security forces.
—Adriana Brasileiro, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
While Charlamagne might light the spark, Bishop keeps the fire burning — overseeing strategy, partnerships, and the delicate art of keeping a creative network profitable and purposeful.
—Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Moses Moody provided the spark Golden State needed, scoring 24 points off the bench.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spark
Verb
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Above him, the night sky sparkled.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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Adult tickets for the Saturday Starlight Tour are $139 and include a complimentary charcuterie box, bottled water, and a glass of champagne or sparkling cider.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Akaganeite gripped pollutants most strongly, but lepidocrocite had more chemically active sites that triggered faster bond breaking.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
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But Novo Nordisk launched a takeover bid Thursday valuing the biotech at around $6 billion, or up to $9 billion, triggering a deadline of four business days for Pfizer to renegotiate its offer.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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However, this year's ad has provoked widespread criticism, with some even calling for a boycott of Sephora.—
Reia Li,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
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These characters are so thin, their storylines so flimsy and their motives so underbaked that there’s no recognizable emotion underlying any of it, and thus no feeling to be provoked by watching it.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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While some see a glimmer of hope in this moment, others are skeptical.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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The 20th Century and Disney pic is coming well ahead of expectations, thanks to glowing reviews and equally growing audience reaction.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
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At that point, out of the vast and silent ether, messages will come glowing into your inbox one after another.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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During inquiries, the ICO found 178 active email accounts using passwords identical or similar to those set by the organization’s IT desk when the account was activated.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
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In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a safe spot, like a nearby business parking lot, to pull over and stop.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Her administration has encouraged the siting of data centers in Michigan through sales and use tax exemptions.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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For example, toddlers will benefit from toys that encourage them to build gross motor skills and work on early speech and literacy skills.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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This ruling is a big splash as NASCAR and plaintiff teams 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports gear up for trial in Charlotte to punctuate a lawsuit in which 23XI and FRM assert that NASCAR is a monopoly.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Nov. 2025
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The trade deadline came and went for the Detroit Lions, and for a team that isn’t known for making in-season splashes, this was par for the course.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spark. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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