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
The multiyear deal brings together two infrastructure players that have seen their fortunes skyrocket since the launch in 2022 of OpenAI's ChatGPT, which sparked an explosion of investments into new processors and systems for powering cutting-edge AI models and workloads.
—
Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 6 May 2026
In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, the ministry said, two women were injured by a drone strike on a house in the southwest of the city which also sparked a fire.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 6 May 2026
Built by casino owners in 1962 at the height of tiki fever, the low-rise house channels the postwar Polynesian craze sparked in part by soldiers returning from the Pacific and further fueled by pop culture phenomena such as Elvis Presley’s 1961 hit movie Blue Hawaii.
—Zoey Goto, Architectural Digest, 6 May 2026
Another food manufacturing center in the city, belonging to Factor, has sparked complaints from neighbors about smells and other issues, which the city and company are working to address.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
His killing sparked public outcry after The News reported his family had previously been investigated by ACS for malnourishment.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
The rise of super shoes has inevitably sparked controversy.
—New Atlas, 5 May 2026
The Middle East’s most populous nation imports the vast majority of its fuels, and is particularly vulnerable to the energy crisis sparked by the conflict.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 4 May 2026
Something that presents itself this month—a connection, an opportunity, an idea sparked by travel—could be the beginning of that larger transformation.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 6 May 2026
In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, the ministry said, two women were injured by a drone strike on a house in the southwest of the city which also sparked a fire.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 6 May 2026
Built by casino owners in 1962 at the height of tiki fever, the low-rise house channels the postwar Polynesian craze sparked in part by soldiers returning from the Pacific and further fueled by pop culture phenomena such as Elvis Presley’s 1961 hit movie Blue Hawaii.
—Zoey Goto, Architectural Digest, 6 May 2026
Another food manufacturing center in the city, belonging to Factor, has sparked complaints from neighbors about smells and other issues, which the city and company are working to address.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
His killing sparked public outcry after The News reported his family had previously been investigated by ACS for malnourishment.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
The rise of super shoes has inevitably sparked controversy.
—New Atlas, 5 May 2026
The Middle East’s most populous nation imports the vast majority of its fuels, and is particularly vulnerable to the energy crisis sparked by the conflict.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 4 May 2026
Something that presents itself this month—a connection, an opportunity, an idea sparked by travel—could be the beginning of that larger transformation.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparked
Verb
-
Inside, shag-pile carpeting flowed lavishly across floors and walls, chandeliers sparkled like diamonds, and a legion of marble statues idled as if awaiting the reboot of the Roman Empire.—
Zoey Goto,
Architectural Digest,
6 May 2026
-
Co-chair Nicole Kidman sparkled in a blood-red Chanel gown covered in sequins and draping into a dramatic train.—
Hedy Phillips,
PEOPLE,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
The United Nations Development Programme reports that higher energy prices, disrupted food systems, and economic slowdowns triggered by the war could push up to thirty-two million people globally into poverty.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
While the legislature required most involuntary tows from apartments to be triggered by specific complaints, residents said towing companies are continuing to patrol public housing and low-income apartment complexes and tow cars for minor violations.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Scott Rudin, who was the subject of allegations of bullying that provoked an industry reckoning on abusive workplace behavior in 2021, is a producer on the revival, which has become one of the unmissable events of the season.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
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The Declaration’s insurrectionist contention—that people, when unjustly provoked, have the right to dissolve their government—hung heavily in a country that had just witnessed the eleven states of the Confederacy make the same argument.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
This photo of the full moon was captured by Deepak Gupta as the lunar disk glowed above a statue of Lord Buddha in Lucknow, India on May 1.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
-
ServiceNow, meanwhile, is doing everything right—almost every revenue and profitability metric glowed in its latest quarterly results—and yet shares took a 14% dive as the SaaSpocalypse fears loom.—
John Kell,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Psychological and emotional wounds from early life can be activated anytime − whether while walking through Target, or just before hopping on the phone with a reporter.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
However, the report said the chief did identify himself and had lights activated on his unmarked police car.—
Kerri Corrado,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tickets are available now, and early purchase is encouraged.—
Markis Hill,
Kansas City Star,
3 May 2026
-
Those with information about Taffur’s whereabouts have been encouraged to contact the NMPD at 305-891-8111.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
This time, Freeland flashed a wicked grin.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
2 May 2026
-
That weapon — a 7-foot, six-time All-Star — had already flashed it.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Verb
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More damage came in the third, when Warren issued a leadoff walk before Ezequiel Duran drove an RBI double to the gap.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
Daniels allegedly drove more than 150 mph while attempting to flee police in Commerce, Georgia.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparked. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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