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
The video has touched viewers deeply, sparking an outpouring of emotions online.
—
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
And in 2010, Israeli forces attacked an aid flotilla in international waters, killing nine Turkish nationals and sparking outrage around the world.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Mercury and later the sun will slither through Scorpio, energizing your creative and romantic sector, sparking ideas and potential passion projects.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, the indie is set in the near future, where a retired soldier’s isolated existence is shattered when a runaway female android seeks refuge on his farm, sparking an unexpected bond that forces them to fight for their survival and for each other.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Unlike in other major cities, the mayor said, more young families are moving into downtown Fort Lauderdale, sparking a mini baby boom.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Even on a slightly more banal level, there’s a singular buzz to sparking off an existing song at a game.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Decker had been on the run since, sparking a multi-agency manhunt.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025
Dumb financing decisions, at scale, tend to tug on threads that unravel in strange places, sparking systemic meltdowns.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
And in 2010, Israeli forces attacked an aid flotilla in international waters, killing nine Turkish nationals and sparking outrage around the world.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Mercury and later the sun will slither through Scorpio, energizing your creative and romantic sector, sparking ideas and potential passion projects.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, the indie is set in the near future, where a retired soldier’s isolated existence is shattered when a runaway female android seeks refuge on his farm, sparking an unexpected bond that forces them to fight for their survival and for each other.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Unlike in other major cities, the mayor said, more young families are moving into downtown Fort Lauderdale, sparking a mini baby boom.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Even on a slightly more banal level, there’s a singular buzz to sparking off an existing song at a game.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Decker had been on the run since, sparking a multi-agency manhunt.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025
Dumb financing decisions, at scale, tend to tug on threads that unravel in strange places, sparking systemic meltdowns.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparking
Verb
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An iridescent, three-dimensional butterfly reminiscent of the singer's Lover era popped up as the centerpiece of the gift, and a card with the Grammy winner's full name was set below the sparkling figurine.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Your accessories don’t have to be sparkling, brand-new from the newest home decor store.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The government has challenged the ruling, triggering a lengthy appeals process — highly unusual in immigration cases that don’t involve serious crimes.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The game’s loot box mechanics — while not exclusive to EA — also led to backlash from gamers, triggering European regulators to investigate whether the feature constituted gambling.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Throughout the weekend, McIlroy and other European players sparred with fans, provoking the Irish golfer in at least one instance to yell back at the crowd, while others flashed middle fingers in response to the jeers.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
-
There was the invasion, the election deniers, and a leader provoking his audience to do something.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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From late March to mid-April, hillsides, parks, and city streets across the country overflow with the glowing pastel pink of sakuras.—
Kristin Braswell,
AFAR Media,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Swift said that the album, which has received several glowing reviews as well as numerous ambivalent critiques, has been embraced by the Swiftie fandom.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This includes continuing to donate 5 percent of our profits to a range of organizations and activating our long-standing tradition of local volunteerism.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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With the sun shining in your sign until September 22 and both eclipses activating your axis of self and relationships, this month pushes you into taking initiative in your life.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Venus is wrapping up in Virgo in your adventure sector, encouraging you to expand through learning, travel, or fresh perspectives.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Croft urged schools to formally teach digital literacy and parents to reinforce it at home by encouraging keyboard use and balanced screen time.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Oct. 2025
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In bodycam footage provided by Ory, the gold truck's driver said the woman driving the car behind him caused the wreck after pulling into the other lane to avoid colliding with the back of the truck.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Fiber helps increase feelings of fullness by slowing digestion and stimulating the release of satiety hormones.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
30 Sep. 2025
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Another highlight of the month is Pluto’s shift direct in Aquarius on October 13, which supercharges your joy sector, stimulating feelings of romance, creativity, play, and pleasure.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparking. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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