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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Recent Examples of sparking
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
Reilly came through with a two-run single in the first and also pitched two perfect innings Friday, sparking the host Thunderbolts to a 7-1 nonconference win over Richards in Tinley Park.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Two severe cases in a Florida beach town’s hospital in 2025, and another two cases presented at a Tennessee research institution, are sparking concern.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
What’s driving the surge Life transitions in your 40s and 50s — empty nests, divorce, career pivots or simply reclaiming personal freedom — are sparking the desire to travel solo.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
The 69-year-old general orchestrated a 2021 coup against the administration of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi and placed her under arrest, sparking widespread protests that morphed into nationwide armed resistance against the junta.
—Reuters, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
The Justice Department later said no such list existed, sparking conspiracy theories.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026
For pretty much every gamer alive today, those first few notes induce an almost Pavlovian response — sparking an urge to grab a controller on your lap that isn’t actually there and bringing to mind comfortable, warm memories of stomping Goombas and riding Yoshi on a quest to save Princess Peach.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 3 Apr. 2026
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
Reilly came through with a two-run single in the first and also pitched two perfect innings Friday, sparking the host Thunderbolts to a 7-1 nonconference win over Richards in Tinley Park.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Two severe cases in a Florida beach town’s hospital in 2025, and another two cases presented at a Tennessee research institution, are sparking concern.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
What’s driving the surge Life transitions in your 40s and 50s — empty nests, divorce, career pivots or simply reclaiming personal freedom — are sparking the desire to travel solo.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
The 69-year-old general orchestrated a 2021 coup against the administration of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi and placed her under arrest, sparking widespread protests that morphed into nationwide armed resistance against the junta.
—Reuters, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
The Justice Department later said no such list existed, sparking conspiracy theories.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026
For pretty much every gamer alive today, those first few notes induce an almost Pavlovian response — sparking an urge to grab a controller on your lap that isn’t actually there and bringing to mind comfortable, warm memories of stomping Goombas and riding Yoshi on a quest to save Princess Peach.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparking
Verb
-
The sparkling Sun in your 9th House of Exploration squares cheery Jupiter in your 12th House of Rest, pitting adventure against recovery.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Shinery takes your jewelry from dirty and dull to sparkling and shining.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Setting kind, consistent boundaries and encouraging independence helps kids develop important life skills and emotional regulation.—
Taylor Grothe,
Parents,
4 Apr. 2026
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Clever Mercury in your sign trines lucky Jupiter in your 5th House of Delight, giving your words a playful glow and encouraging authentic self-expression.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cody Bellinger contributed to the Yankees erasing a four-run deficit through four innings by driving in three runs.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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 11 Apr. 2026.
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