1
as in sparkling
to give off sparks
the broken radio sparked and smoked the instant it was plugged in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sparking
Excessive rain caused torrents of water to wash out homes, damage roads, and threaten to burst a dam, sparking an emergency evacuation of thousands in Oahu on March 20.
—
Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Savannah Guthrie is renewing pleas to neighbors, friends and residents of Tucson, Arizona, to jog their memories in the hopes of sparking new leads in the disappearance of her mother, Nancy.
—CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Two waves of Iranian drones attacked a Kuwaiti oil refinery early Friday, sparking a fire.
—Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Even if one accepts that perfectly reasonable people are happy to live in a bubble with strangers for months in hopes of achieving love, fame or a cash prize, someone inevitably is cast to bring the crazy, er, conversation-sparking personality.
—Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Now, the country is wracked by the terror of a new, heavier bombardment, with more than 1,000 dead since March 2, when Hezbollah fired projectiles into Israel to avenge the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, sparking Israeli retaliation.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Released in July 1996, the giggling red toy went viral during the 1996 Christmas season, sparking frenzied shopping scenes at stores across the country.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2026
In 2006, Joshua Duckett’s two-year-old son, Trenton Duckett, went missing on a warm August night in Leesburg, sparking a nationwide search and global media sensation.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
As service begins at a fine dining restaurant’s Los Angeles residency, allegations of the chef’s abusive workplace practices have resurfaced, sparking backlash, protests and major sponsors like American Express and dining concierge startup Blackbird pulling out.
—Shindy Chen
march 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2026
Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Savannah Guthrie is renewing pleas to neighbors, friends and residents of Tucson, Arizona, to jog their memories in the hopes of sparking new leads in the disappearance of her mother, Nancy.
—CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Two waves of Iranian drones attacked a Kuwaiti oil refinery early Friday, sparking a fire.
—Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Even if one accepts that perfectly reasonable people are happy to live in a bubble with strangers for months in hopes of achieving love, fame or a cash prize, someone inevitably is cast to bring the crazy, er, conversation-sparking personality.
—Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Now, the country is wracked by the terror of a new, heavier bombardment, with more than 1,000 dead since March 2, when Hezbollah fired projectiles into Israel to avenge the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, sparking Israeli retaliation.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Released in July 1996, the giggling red toy went viral during the 1996 Christmas season, sparking frenzied shopping scenes at stores across the country.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2026
In 2006, Joshua Duckett’s two-year-old son, Trenton Duckett, went missing on a warm August night in Leesburg, sparking a nationwide search and global media sensation.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
As service begins at a fine dining restaurant’s Los Angeles residency, allegations of the chef’s abusive workplace practices have resurfaced, sparking backlash, protests and major sponsors like American Express and dining concierge startup Blackbird pulling out.
—Shindy Chen
march 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparking
Verb
-
Paris — Anyone visiting Paris just over a decade ago would doubtless have been charmed by the city’s timeless attractions — brasseries serving delicious food, museums crammed with famous works of art, boulevards of chic stores — all overlooked by the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower.—
Lisa Courbebaisse,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Even something as simple as a waiter offering a choice of tap, still, or sparkling water can prompt a hint of decision fatigue.—
Mykenna Maniece,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Israel launched a widespread strike on Iran's world-largest gas field, South Pars, triggering retaliation from Tehran against key energy sites across the Gulf Arab states.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Compounds formed when meat is cooked at high temperatures are believed to play a role by triggering cancer-causing changes in the colon, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When not in the newsroom, Munis is often out on the streets with his camera, capturing the perfect portrait or settling in to watch a thought-provoking film.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Mar. 2026
-
This documentary plumbs the issue in a personal, entertaining and thought-provoking way.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At one point, there’s a montage that bounces between Irene practicing at the ballet bar, almost glowing with angelic light, and Soames signing his name onto documents at the office.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Now, thanks to a raft of glowing reviews, sky-high audience exit-polling scores, and commensurate word-of-mouth buzz, Project Hail Mary is well on its way to recouping its $200 production budget (which does not include another $150 million or so in prints and advertising costs).—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Antagonists arrive in the form of a private equity firm looking to acquire the company, activating an endgame.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Melbourne revitalized its center by activating small laneways with cafes, art and nightlife.—
Liam Stanton,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Let soak, encouraging sand and soil to sink, before removing.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The Cubs are encouraging Taillon to really push his intensity level on his bullpen days but then hardly throw the following day, instead focusing on just moving around and being athletic.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And the 6-9, 250-pound Boozer started to act like his brother Cayden, getting the ball up top in a point forward role on several possessions and then driving downhill.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The judge also had Crosby’s driving license suspended.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Form Insoles combine mechanical arch support with a neuro-stimulating texture, which is proven to reduce foot fatigue and arch pain by increasing overall foot awareness and foot posture.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The skin care tool is trending for its scalp-stimulating benefits.—
Fiona Ward,
Glamour,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparking. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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