1
2
as in triggered
to cause to function
interesting questions that are designed to spark the reader's brain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in provoked
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sparked
In California’s strawberry fields, an ICE raid sparked widespread panic and disruption among farmworker communities.
—
David Rodriguez Muñoz, Freep.com, 7 Sep. 2025
The fire is assumed to have been sparked by lightning.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
The report sparked outrage from the scientific community.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2025
The list has sparked some interesting conversations.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Director Bikas Ranjan Mishra tells Variety that the film, which premieres in Toronto’s Discovery section, was sparked by his coverage of a notorious cult leader’s trial.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
The Yankees defeated the Astros on Thursday to take two of three games in the series, but the strike zone sparked controversy.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Unsurprisingly, their posts sparked strong reactions from commenters — some of whom were appalled by the gap in their ages, and others who came to Stomatuk and Justin’s defense.
—Luke Chinman, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
In June, a large-scale immigration operation targeting Los Angeles sparked protests, and there was violence and looting that later prompted Mayor Karen Bass to impose a curfew downtown.
—Julia Ainsley, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2025
David Rodriguez Muñoz, Freep.com, 7 Sep. 2025
The fire is assumed to have been sparked by lightning.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
The report sparked outrage from the scientific community.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2025
The list has sparked some interesting conversations.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Director Bikas Ranjan Mishra tells Variety that the film, which premieres in Toronto’s Discovery section, was sparked by his coverage of a notorious cult leader’s trial.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
The Yankees defeated the Astros on Thursday to take two of three games in the series, but the strike zone sparked controversy.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Unsurprisingly, their posts sparked strong reactions from commenters — some of whom were appalled by the gap in their ages, and others who came to Stomatuk and Justin’s defense.
—Luke Chinman, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
In June, a large-scale immigration operation targeting Los Angeles sparked protests, and there was violence and looting that later prompted Mayor Karen Bass to impose a curfew downtown.
—Julia Ainsley, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparked
Verb
-
The pop icon and her eldest child sparkled in black and silver style at The Lion King Hollywood premiere in July 2019.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Manning came on and sparkled (9-for-12, 223 yards, 5 total TDs) in a blowout.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The fire is assumed to have been triggered by a lightning strike.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Pheu Thai's crisis was triggered back in June by Anutin's withdrawal from its alliance, which left the coalition government clinging to power with a razor-thin majority amid protests and plummeting popularity.—
Panarat Thepgumpanat,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Michael Roberson, a defense attorney, argued Lawson was provoked by Martin.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Sep. 2025
-
So his recent absence from public view provoked all sorts of speculation – fed by social media algorithms that promoted conspiracy theories and complete nonsense to huge numbers of people.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The scientists were also able to create modified phosphors that glowed in colors like green, red, and blue.—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal,
New Atlas,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The wristbands on every concert attendees' wrist glowed bright red and the crowd roared.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Gowder said the last time federal authorities activated troops over the objections of local officials was to uphold desegregation laws.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Norby, who played rehab games for Jacksonville on Tuesday and Wednesday, will join the Marlins in New York and is expected to be activated during the Mets series, McCullough said.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Mixing and matching is encouraged.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Those who experienced the earthquake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But the way Herbert flashed early in his career, tossing seven touchdown passes and only one interception in a 2021 season sweep of the defending AFC champion Chiefs, had come to feel like a tease.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
James’ strike flashed in at the near post and started a huge party for Colombia fans in Barranquilla.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The company, which also owns the swankier Bloomingdales brand and cosmetics retailer Bluemercury, barely made it out of the pandemic after lockdowns strangled in-store shopping and drove customers ever closer to Amazon and other big-box retailers.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Grant drove the Aggies 72 yards and found Blaise Smith for a 3-yard touchdown pass with 8 seconds remaining to win it.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparked. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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