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
Perry and Trudeau first sparked romance rumors over the summer, when they were spotted on a date in Montreal, Canada.
—
Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
The operation has sparked growing scrutiny over federal tactics.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
The deployments have sparked intense backlash, a dizzying number of legal battles and upended daily life in communities flooded with federal agents and National Guard troops.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
Back home, Trump’s decision to demolish the White House East Wing to build a $300 million ballroom has sparked backlash from preservationists and architectural experts.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
The heavy-handed response to the false alarm has sparked outrage in the community, with Allen’s grandfather Lamont Davis demanding accountability.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Panahi was detained and locked up shortly before the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini, which sparked the Women, Life, Freedom movement.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 18 Oct. 2025
The decision sparked criticism on social media from some residents, who say the city has typically held trick-or-treating on the Sunday before Halloween.
—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, jsonline.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Ratajkowski appeared topless in the music video, which sparked controversy at the time.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
The operation has sparked growing scrutiny over federal tactics.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
The deployments have sparked intense backlash, a dizzying number of legal battles and upended daily life in communities flooded with federal agents and National Guard troops.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
Back home, Trump’s decision to demolish the White House East Wing to build a $300 million ballroom has sparked backlash from preservationists and architectural experts.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
The heavy-handed response to the false alarm has sparked outrage in the community, with Allen’s grandfather Lamont Davis demanding accountability.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Panahi was detained and locked up shortly before the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini, which sparked the Women, Life, Freedom movement.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 18 Oct. 2025
The decision sparked criticism on social media from some residents, who say the city has typically held trick-or-treating on the Sunday before Halloween.
—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, jsonline.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Ratajkowski appeared topless in the music video, which sparked controversy at the time.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparked
Verb
-
Tapped as the sixth man in the opener, being summoned off the bench before anyone else, Sexton sparkled in his Hornets’debut.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The creek sparkled between brushy banks filled with birds and aquatic insects.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Patterson returns to Charlotte following a monthslong controversy over the circumstances of Jennings’ split with the city, including a secretive six-figure settlement that triggered an investigation by the State Auditor’s Office.—
Ryan Oehrli,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The shutdown was triggered at the start of October when Senate Democrats blocked the passage of the CR passed by the House.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
By that time the show had provoked a wave of excited condemnation from commentators online who seemed most consistently offended by the bodysuit printed with the (hairy) image of a (totally) naked male body worn by a female model.—
Luke Leitch,
Vogue,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The move has provoked fierce criticism in France, a country that prides itself on craftsmanship, sustainability and haute couture.—
NPR,
NPR,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Even from a boat, the gleaming white of bleached and dead corals glowed from beneath the surface.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The ground cover glowed gold and red.—
Gloria Liu,
Outside Online,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
National Guard troops have been staging at Portland training bases for weeks while the legal case plays out, having been activated to protect federal officials and an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility that has been the focal point of daily protests since June.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The president additionally activated the District of Columbia National Guard in August for law enforcement activities.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
It was famed British actor Laurence Olivier who encouraged Hopkins to pursue mental health therapy and see a psychiatrist.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Those who felt the earthquake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
With his head secured in an orange brace, Tanev flashed a brief thumbs-up as he was carried off the ice.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
As the lights came up, the Fort Worth theater erupted with applause as the duo’s name flashed across the credits.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The suspect, who has not been publicly identified, was said to have intentionally drove into bicycle lanes to strike some of the cyclists, said Christophe Sueur, the mayor of Saint-Pierre d'Oleron.—
Tom Soufi Burridge,
ABC News,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Periodically, one or two cars drove up for a box of food, but otherwise, all was quiet.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparked. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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