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
His candidacy sparked sharp divisions, with supporters portraying him as a symbol of stability and opponents denouncing him as a reminder of authoritarian rule and unresolved war crimes.
—
Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Israel cited militant attacks on soldiers as justification, but the mounting civilian deaths have sparked criticism from Arab and Muslim nations.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Federal officers have shot munitions at his face respirator and at his back, and launched a tear-gas canister that sparked next to his leg and burned a hole in his costume, the complaint says.
—CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Lake Travis answered with a 13-5 run, sparked by Kade Shaver and Will Slyker combining for 11 points, to eventually force overtime.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
The release of Amazon’s Melania documentary appears to have sparked an interest in other former first ladies.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
The interim appointment of Phelan sparked some surprise in the dressing room.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The streaming service, free and ad-supported, was called CBSN and sparked a broader movement by TV-news divisions to expand into broadband frontiers.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026
The issue sparked a statement from the Hall of Fame.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Israel cited militant attacks on soldiers as justification, but the mounting civilian deaths have sparked criticism from Arab and Muslim nations.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Federal officers have shot munitions at his face respirator and at his back, and launched a tear-gas canister that sparked next to his leg and burned a hole in his costume, the complaint says.
—CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Lake Travis answered with a 13-5 run, sparked by Kade Shaver and Will Slyker combining for 11 points, to eventually force overtime.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
The release of Amazon’s Melania documentary appears to have sparked an interest in other former first ladies.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
The interim appointment of Phelan sparked some surprise in the dressing room.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The streaming service, free and ad-supported, was called CBSN and sparked a broader movement by TV-news divisions to expand into broadband frontiers.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026
The issue sparked a statement from the Hall of Fame.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparked
Verb
-
The goal posts are easily removable for storage, and the natural grass field sparkled, even if the game did not.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
His blue eyes always sparkled with a peculiar combination of intelligence, mischief, and ennui, exactly like Robin Williams.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But reportedly, Barron has been meeting women online, which has triggered urgent conversations in the family.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
3 Feb. 2026
-
That triggered an investigation, a lifetime ban and a fraud report to the state.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
News of the deployment of ICE agents has provoked a backlash in Italy.—
Colleen Barry,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The troop deployments have provoked legal challenges from local leaders, and some have been successful.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Coughlan glowed in Penelope's wedding dress and shared a look with her husband-to-be, Colin.—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
-
DeVanté’s mythical aura glowed so brightly that even future stars struggled to get noticed.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Multiple aircraft, cutters and small boats searched 1,047 square miles over 24 hours, finding debris near the location where the EPIRB was activated, along with one body and an unoccupied life raft that had been deployed.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Before the recent snowstorm, the city activated PlowNYC, a real-time map showing when every street in the city was last plowed.—
Naaman Zhou,
New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Still, the paper has been encouraged by early signs from its first week.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Though it’s not required, candidates are encouraged to fill out job applications online before attending the Thunder Valley Casino job fairs.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ware has flashed his intriguing potential during stretches this season, grabbing double-digit rebounds in nine straight games in November.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Kane flashed a grin and hugged Chiarot.—
Larry Lage,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sports and news again drove quarterly results, and there are plenty of challenges ahead with sports rights fee increases and linear audience erosion.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2026
-
At the same time, a 2013 or newer four-door black Nissan Frontier PRO-4X drove past their home, before turning around and then parking one house down, police said.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparked. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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