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

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

These seemingly small actions can lead to dry grass ignition, potentially sparking a wildfire. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026

In his only official act as governor, McCuish appointed Hall to the Kansas Supreme Court, sparking the backlash that led to the nominating commission system being adopted the following year. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026

The appliance ignited nearby combustible materials, sparking the blaze. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026

The shooting prompted the latest calls for an investigation, and officials have said officers were not wearing body cameras during the encounter, sparking questions about what happened during the incident without clear video evidence. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Happy Days ran from 1974 to 1984, sparking numerous spinoffs and launching several careers. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026

In 2020, a series of mid-August thunderstorms rolled over California, sparking thousands of dry-lightning fires. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026

Both films premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, with The Invite sparking a major bidding war; it was eventually picked up by A24 for $12 million. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 July 2026