1
as in to sparkle
to give off sparks
the broken radio sparked and smoked the instant it was plugged in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 spark
Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 8 July 2025
They were seen kissing at a Sabrina Carpenter concert
Zegler first sparked romance rumors with Louis-Fernand when they were photographed getting close and kissing at a Sabrina Carpenter concert in London's Hyde Park on June 6.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 8 July 2025
Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Man, the sparks between Mina and Demetrius are flying already.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spark
Verb
The tally was the highest since before a door plug from one of its new 737 Max 9 planes blew out midair in January 2024, sparking a new crisis for the company and slowing production and deliveries of aircraft.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 8 July 2025
They were seen kissing at a Sabrina Carpenter concert
Zegler first sparked romance rumors with Louis-Fernand when they were photographed getting close and kissing at a Sabrina Carpenter concert in London's Hyde Park on June 6.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 8 July 2025
Noun
The style is pared down and technically precise, letting products shine while adding a spark of personality, as in Dungeness crab with yuzu kosho butter, perched over silken tofu.
—Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Man, the sparks between Mina and Demetrius are flying already.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spark
Verb
-
Now one recent video has catapulted Nellie to viral fame, as her owners documented her trying sparkling water, rather than still.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
-
For the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2006, Sánchez stepped out in a black satin gown with sparkling silver details.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
24 June 2025
Verb
-
The first red flag of the session was triggered after Oliver Bearman lost some of the bodywork of his Haas.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
-
That, in turn, will trigger a future automatic benefit cut of 24% to all recipients, the centrist think tank projects.—
Ben Adler,
USA Today,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
Run adversarial simulations, employ red teams, and commission third-party evaluations that deliberately try to provoke harmful behaviors.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Don't run away or climb a tree, which may provoke a chase.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Despite this recent glimmer of hope, injected by crypto bull market excitement, overall public companies are struggling.—
Christopher Perkins,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
But there is a way out of this mess — and a glimmer of hope for Sox fans in the team’s second rebuild since 2017.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Her primary function seems to be solely to wear a tight, glowing suit and look concerned.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
9 July 2025
-
Bio-Oil has also received glowing reviews from more than one mama.—
Erin Bunch,
Glamour,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile, in suburban Cook County, three courthouses — in Skokie, Maywood and Markham — were activated as 24/7 cooling centers from June 21 to June 24 in response to the heat advisory.—
Lily Carey,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2025
-
It’s been a couple of years since Google and Jamestown activated a stretch of downtown San Jose near SAP Center with its Creekside Socials, block parties with music, art and food trucks.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
Later, Mi-ji and Ho-su encourage Sang-wol to learn how to read.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
30 June 2025
-
The bills’ sponsors and advocates are encouraged by the bipartisan support received so far.—
Lauren Jessop,
The Washington Examiner,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
There’s also a splash pad and playground for the kids.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
-
Enjoy playscapes, a swimming pool, splash pads for the kids, sports fields Dillon Stadium and historic buildings.—
Kaitlyn Keegan,
Hartford Courant,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spark. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share