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
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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
Susan Montoya Bryan, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
The family milestone comes three years after Foxx sparked health concerns following hospitalization for a mysterious illness, which the actor later revealed was a stroke caused by a brain bleed.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026
The 21-year-old top prospect floated around the bases, gave emphatic high fives to Adames and Matt Chapman, and provided the Giants with a momentary spark in what was a one-run game at the time.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for spark
Verb
This sometimes sparked nationalist sentiments and concerns about resource exploitation and public access to rivers and lakes.
—Susan Montoya Bryan, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
The family milestone comes three years after Foxx sparked health concerns following hospitalization for a mysterious illness, which the actor later revealed was a stroke caused by a brain bleed.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Noun
With the Sun in your 3rd House sextiling Jupiter in your 5th House of Creativity, conversations, writing, and creative sparks have unusual momentum.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026
The 21-year-old top prospect floated around the bases, gave emphatic high fives to Adames and Matt Chapman, and provided the Giants with a momentary spark in what was a one-run game at the time.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for spark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spark
Verb
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Plants produce large, rounded flowerheads from late summer to fall in sparkling pink, purple, and rose-red hues, providing a late season source of nectar to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
10 May 2026
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Adult tickets for the Saturday Starlight Adventures excursions are $139 and include a complimentary charcuterie box and a glass of Champagne or sparkling cider.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
9 May 2026
Verb
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West, a former junior Foreign Office minister, would need support from 20% of Labour MPs — or 81 members — to trigger a contest.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
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In 1992, a buildup of methane gas and coal dust triggered a massive explosion in the Westray Mine in Nova Scotia, Canada, killing 26 coal miners.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
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The harshness or relentlessness of weather can turn friends to lovers, can cause others to lose their minds, can provoke travel across continents, can cancel plans, can reroute rivers, can flood civilizations, can incite both panic and delight, can wash away a life’s work, can set fire to forests.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
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Wasps are territorial creatures that can aggressively defend their nests and protect their young if provoked.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Murdock appears to have accepted his fate, but a glimmer of smile hints that this is not the end of his story.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
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With anti-slip soles, these lightweight sandals will keep you steady on your feet, while the simple yet elegant gold straps add a nice subtle glimmer and will keep your feet securely in place.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
5 May 2026
Verb
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Tabakis lightly strums and plucks over a glowing drone and chattering birds, offering an ecumenical introduction, a smiling welcome.—
Grayson Haver Currin,
Pitchfork,
14 May 2026
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The area is tucked against the San Gabriel Mountains, which glow the color of warm terra cotta at sunset.—
Aarne Heikkila,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Tonight the Aries Moon activates ambition, and a decision about visibility or leadership may suddenly feel obvious.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
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But mostly, the Sparks’ defense activated, forcing 10 Las Vegas turnovers, led by two steals apiece from Atkins and Wheeler to fuel the comeback.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Lawyer Steve Oshins told Inside Wealth that QSBS laws and other tax proposals aimed at the wealthy encourage high earners to move to other states.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
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This easy London broil recipe relies on a savory marinade with a small amount of baking soda to help tenderize the meat and encourage browning.—
Zaynab Issa,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 May 2026
Noun
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His final journal entry is a geological interpretation of rain splash erosion.—
Robert M. Thorson,
The Conversation,
8 May 2026
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Perennials are a great way to spruce up your garden and add splashes of greenery to your landscape.—
Adrienne Jordan,
Martha Stewart,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spark. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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