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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sparking
Since then, prices for many games have been raised further, sparking widespread outrage.
—
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
The country’s new spiritual leader and highest authority – Mojtaba Khamenei – has not been seen in public since his inauguration last month, sparking questions over who is leading the decision-making in Iran.
—Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
King favored a genial, non-confrontational style that critics derided as too easygoing and soft for a news network, but which made his program a natural stop for politicians and entertainers who wanted to make their views known without sparking overt conflict.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
Shooting at Venice Beach presented a myriad of complications, sparking complaints about red-tape over the past month.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2026
Ganesh’s exit from the show was announced earlier this month, sparking a fierce wave of pushback from fans of the HBO show.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 17 Apr. 2026
The Iran war is raising debt costs for African countries, sparking warnings that some economies could default as interest rates soar.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026
See video … LISTEN Tune in as New York City launches a bold municipal grocery store initiative — sparking debate over rising food costs and taxpayer expenses.
—FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
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
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
The country’s new spiritual leader and highest authority – Mojtaba Khamenei – has not been seen in public since his inauguration last month, sparking questions over who is leading the decision-making in Iran.
—Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
King favored a genial, non-confrontational style that critics derided as too easygoing and soft for a news network, but which made his program a natural stop for politicians and entertainers who wanted to make their views known without sparking overt conflict.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
Shooting at Venice Beach presented a myriad of complications, sparking complaints about red-tape over the past month.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2026
Ganesh’s exit from the show was announced earlier this month, sparking a fierce wave of pushback from fans of the HBO show.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 17 Apr. 2026
The Iran war is raising debt costs for African countries, sparking warnings that some economies could default as interest rates soar.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026
See video … LISTEN Tune in as New York City launches a bold municipal grocery store initiative — sparking debate over rising food costs and taxpayer expenses.
—FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparking
Verb
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This sangria combines strawberry and peaches in a dry wine and sparkling water sangria that's just sippable enough to go down really easily.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
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Mimosas, Prosecco and sparkling peach cider will be served in addition to the tea.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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More complicated commercial cases were on hold and took longer, triggering at least some delay.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
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That kind of stuff is still kind of triggering.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There’s nothing better than cozying up to a good memoir or a thought-provoking history book.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Indeed, the only black-and-white to be found here is on David Zinn’s thought-provoking set, which washes the abodes of the younger characters in funereal black right down to Suzanna’s hotel bed.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Auroras are typically easiest to see after full darkness sets in and before dawn, when the sky is darkest and solar particles interacting with Earth's magnetic field create glowing arcs and shimmering curtains of light.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
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Their evident fondness for one another, glowing warmly alongside all their sniping and whispering and eye-rolling, allows all the nightmares in Big Mistakes to feel like a lark rather than an incipient calamity.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Caroline Lewis, who is activating students to advocate for policy change, and the Miami Herald’s own chief climate reporter and editor, Alex Harris.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
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Kept alive numerous times by the activating Jonathan Aspirot and Jordan Harris, the puck eventually came around to Kastelic low on the left side and Kastelic got his 10th of the year by beating Greaves on a bad-angle short-side shot.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Between parking restrictions and road closures, Boston is encouraging Marathon Monday visitors to walk, bike, take the T — anything but drive — to watch the runners or attend the day’s festivities.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
20 Apr. 2026
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The five-star analyst added that growing demand in scale-up networking is giving confidence in continued strength in future earnings, encouraging investors to look beyond 2027 and factor in these opportunities.—
TipRanks.com Staff,
CNBC,
19 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
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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
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The brand promises results in four weeks—we’re talking reduced fine lines, dullness, and dark circles, along with improved elasticity, thanks to collagen-stimulating regrowth that encourages a more youthful appearance.—
Lauren Pardee,
InStyle,
13 Apr. 2026
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In mice, researchers have already been stimulating mice with ultrasound.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparking. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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