Synonyms of sparking

sparking

verb

present participle of spark

1

as in sparkling

to give off sparks

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sparkling
• glowing
• flashing
• shining
• burning
• scintillating
• blazing
• twinkling
• flaming
• radiating
• lighting (up)
• combusting
• flaring (up)

2

as in triggering

to cause to function

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• triggering
• activating
• driving
• generating
• powering
• igniting
• moving
• fueling
• starting
• provoking
• running
• charging
• pushing
• setting off
• actuating
• firing
• cranking (up)
• turning on
• touching off
• electrifying
• launching
• stimulating
• energizing
• switching
• releasing
• inciting
• discharging
• arousing
• tripping
• reactivating
• exciting
• accelerating
• turning over
• instigating
• catalyzing
• recharging
• vitalizing
• kicking over
• quickening
• kick-starting
• jump-starting
• stirring up
• speeding (up)
• stepping up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• killing
• cutting
• stopping
• checking
• cutting out
• sticking
• shutting off
• arresting
• halting
• turning off
• stalling
• braking
• cutting off
• jamming
• suppressing
• drawing up
• slowing
• deactivating
• repressing
• decelerating
• stunting

3

as in provoking

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

• provoking
• encouraging
• stimulating
• stirring
• arousing
• inciting
• inspiring
• moving
• instigating
• exciting
• triggering
• motivating
• igniting
• driving
• inducing
• firing (up)
• revving (up)
• piquing
• impassioning
• fanning
• motiving
• galvanizing
• inflaming
• activating
• building a fire under
• kindling
• energizing
• angering
• fomenting
• animating
• quickening
• vitalizing
• bothering
• enraging
• setting off
• fermenting
• keying (up)
• raising
• upsetting
• abetting
• teasing
• whipping (up)
• taunting
• pumping up
• jeering
• getting
• maddening
• irritating
• aggravating
• annoying
• exasperating
• vexing
• galling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calming
• soothing
• subduing
• tranquilizing
• appeasing
• pacifying
• placating
• mollifying

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sparking

Mike McDaniel is the new offensive coordinator, sparking excitement for Johnston to build off his flashes from last season. — Jake Ciely, New York Times, 22 July 2026

This follows June and July reports that COSR lacked the finances, sparking American fans' hopes for Chiles to reclaim the medal. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Animal viruses jump to humans in the wild hundreds of thousands of times a year, usually producing negligible infections, occasionally sparking an outbreak. — CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Advertisement Wangchuk proceeded not to eat for 20 days—a period that ended only after Delhi police hospitalized him against his will, sparking national outcry. — Connor Greene, Time, 22 July 2026

Meanwhile, demand for comfortable and effortless style is sparking interest in low-rise relaxed cuts. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 22 July 2026

The upheaval comes days after the PIC board suspended CEO Patrick Dlamini over a flawed $24 million private equity settlement, sparking internal warfare and board member resignations. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 22 July 2026

The assertion was intended to clear up confusion that began swirling over the weekend around a false positive test from the Food and Drug Administration—which Taylor Farms celebrated, sparking confusion. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026

An infection characterized by severe diarrhea is sparking low-grade panic over produce. — Yasmin Vossoughian, NBC news, 15 July 2026