1
as in sparkling
to give off sparks
the broken radio sparked and smoked the instant it was plugged in
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in triggering
to cause to function
interesting questions that are designed to spark the reader's brain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of sparking
This group might have unlocked the secret to bridging the diversity gap and sparking a new passion for wine.
—
Erica Olsen, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Fitch downgraded Afreximbank last year over worries around the lender’s risk management policies, sparking a debate about the way Western ratings agencies perceive risk in Africa.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Or are early-season emotions sparking unnecessary outrage?
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Internet reacts to Usher, Brown tour For years, fans have called on Usher and Brown to participate in a hit-for-hit Verzuz battle, sparking major debate online.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Rumors of a Nader-Savchenko romance began sparking shortly after their paring on DWTS.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026
The conflict has snarled access to oil and gas, driving up prices and sparking fears among some economists about a potential recession.
—Mary Ramsey
april 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
The proposal also is sparking opposition for what land — and trees — would be cleared to make way for the driving range.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Fuel tanks at its main airport were also struck on Wednesday, sparking a large fire.
—Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 5 Apr. 2026
Erica Olsen, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Fitch downgraded Afreximbank last year over worries around the lender’s risk management policies, sparking a debate about the way Western ratings agencies perceive risk in Africa.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Or are early-season emotions sparking unnecessary outrage?
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Internet reacts to Usher, Brown tour For years, fans have called on Usher and Brown to participate in a hit-for-hit Verzuz battle, sparking major debate online.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Rumors of a Nader-Savchenko romance began sparking shortly after their paring on DWTS.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026
The conflict has snarled access to oil and gas, driving up prices and sparking fears among some economists about a potential recession.
—Mary Ramsey
april 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
The proposal also is sparking opposition for what land — and trees — would be cleared to make way for the driving range.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Fuel tanks at its main airport were also struck on Wednesday, sparking a large fire.
—Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparking
Verb
-
This style is ideal for sipping on ice, perhaps with a splash of sparkling water and a lemon twist.—
Jerry & Krista Slater,
AJC.com,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Quentin Tarantino’s outrageous revisionist Western is wildly over-the-top, combining the director’s penchant for gratuitous violence and sparkling dialogue with a story that’s pleasingly labyrinthine but nothing if not schlocky.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Police testified Konig fled the scene after the hikers intervened, triggering a manhunt before he was spotted with what appeared to be blood on his shirt and taken into custody after a struggle.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Oil tanker traffic through the strait plunged during the war due to Iranian attacks on vessels, triggering the largest oil supply disruption in history.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Christopher Nolan has cemented his status as one of our most consistently original and thought-provoking directors.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 Apr. 2026
-
In essence, Bright Lights, Big City, instead of being emotionally provoking and riveting, is distressingly gray and tedious, enlivened only by Fox’s gifted histrionics.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Images taken from inside the Orion capsule have shifted from solely highlighting the glowing spectacle of Earth as seen from a cosmic perspective to refocusing on the moon as the mission draws closer to the silvery orb.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, some of the survey’s 100 multiple-choice questions gave city officials a different not-so-glowing look at operations within the police department.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rhode The world of Rhode is activating in the desert!—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The brain compensates by activating the forehead muscles to lift the brows.—
Carlos Wolf,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Former clients described Motta encouraging people to get surgeries, and others discussed one particularly shameless episode in which a large church van, crammed with prospective plaintiffs, intentionally collided with a truck.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Reframe aging as a life stage of capability and purpose rather than decline, encouraging earlier conversations across families, workplaces, and communities.—
Aimee DeCamillo,
Fortune,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, government data shows that car insurance prices have soared 55% compared with six years ago, or just before the pandemic, driving up the number of Americans going without.—
Alexa St. John,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Smith went 2 for 2 with a walk and double at the plate, driving in 2 runs and scoring a run, all out of the 9 hole in the lineup for Southwest Christian (24-4 overall, 6-1 district).—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The funding aims to enhance all-weather roads, stormwater drainage, street lighting, and public markets to improve transport connections, reduce flooding, and boost public safety, while also stimulating the local economy.—
Paige Bruton,
semafor.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Xie said the massage is based on traditional Chinese medicine, focusing on stimulating acupressure points around the eyes.—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparking. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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