Synonyms of sparked

sparked

verb

past tense of spark

1

as in sparkled

to give off sparks

the broken radio sparked and smoked the instant it was plugged in

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sparkled
• glowed
• flashed
• shone
• burned
• blazed
• scintillated
• twinkled
• lit (up)
• flamed
• radiated
• flared (up)
• combusted

2

as in triggered

to cause to function

interesting questions that are designed to spark the reader's brain

Synonyms & Similar Words

• triggered
• activated
• drove
• generated
• fueled
• moved
• started
• ignited
• powered
• provoked
• set off
• turned on
• charged
• pushed
• ran
• actuated
• touched off
• cranked (up)
• fired
• electrified
• launched
• stimulated
• released
• switched
• energized
• aroused
• incited
• turned over
• instigated
• reactivated
• catalyzed
• excited
• accelerated
• discharged
• tripped
• kick-started
• jump-started
• quickened
• kicked over
• recharged
• stirred up
• stepped up
• sped (up)
• vitalized

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• killed
• cut
• stopped
• shut off
• cut out
• turned off
• halted
• arrested
• checked
• stuck
• stalled
• cut off
• jammed
• drew up
• slowed
• suppressed
• deactivated
• stunted
• repressed
• braked
• decelerated

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

• provoked
• encouraged
• stimulated
• stirred
• inspired
• aroused
• incited
• moved
• instigated
• triggered
• piqued
• excited
• motivated
• impassioned
• ignited
• induced
• drove
• fired (up)
• revved (up)
• kindled
• fanned
• motived
• angered
• galvanized
• activated
• built a fire under
• inflamed
• fomented
• quickened
• energized
• animated
• set off
• enraged
• bothered
• keyed (up)
• upset
• vitalized
• raised
• whipped (up)
• abetted
• pumped up
• teased
• maddened
• aggravated
• got
• taunted
• fermented
• annoyed
• jeered
• irritated
• exasperated
• vexed
• galled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calmed
• subdued
• soothed
• appeased
• placated
• pacified
• mollified
• tranquilized

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sparked

The conflict, which has raged on despite a truce brokered by the United States and Qatar, has sparked a huge humanitarian crisis, with at least 7 million people displaced. —Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026

Rising commodity prices and disruptions to global supply chains sparked by the war in Iran threatened the delivery of life-saving aid, the UN argued. —Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026

The comments sparked backlash, particularly in the performing arts world, that gained steam in the past week. —Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026

Now the cuts, which continued even after Musk left government last spring, are again being scrutinized as US strikes on Iran have sparked a war that’s spilled out across the Middle East. —Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026

First album that sparked your interest in music The unique thing about my upbringing is that we weren’t allowed to listen to the radio. —Devon Ivie, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026

The statue stood at Dallas Love Field airport for nearly 60 years before it was removed in June 2020, days after George Floyd’s killing sparked nationwide protests and prompted the reassessment of monuments across Texas and the country. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026

While the dispute sparked debate about the risks of highly experimental architecture, the Stata Center remains a landmark on campus, and a testament to Gehry’s willingness to push boundaries, even at institutional scale. —David Sokol, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2026

That petition sparked District Attorney Spencer Merriweather to request a criminal probe by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. —Ryan Oehrli march 4, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026