Synonyms of sparking

sparking

verb

present participle of spark

1

as in sparkling

to give off sparks

the broken radio sparked and smoked the instant it was plugged in

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sparkling
• glowing
• flashing
• shining
• burning
• scintillating
• blazing
• twinkling
• flaming
• radiating
• lighting (up)
• combusting
• flaring (up)

2

as in triggering

to cause to function

interesting questions that are designed to spark the reader's brain

Synonyms & Similar Words

• triggering
• activating
• driving
• generating
• powering
• igniting
• moving
• fueling
• starting
• provoking
• running
• charging
• pushing
• setting off
• actuating
• firing
• cranking (up)
• turning on
• touching off
• electrifying
• launching
• stimulating
• energizing
• switching
• releasing
• inciting
• discharging
• arousing
• tripping
• reactivating
• exciting
• accelerating
• turning over
• instigating
• catalyzing
• recharging
• vitalizing
• kicking over
• quickening
• kick-starting
• jump-starting
• stirring up
• speeding (up)
• stepping up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• killing
• cutting
• stopping
• checking
• cutting out
• sticking
• shutting off
• arresting
• halting
• turning off
• stalling
• braking
• cutting off
• jamming
• suppressing
• drawing up
• slowing
• deactivating
• repressing
• decelerating
• stunting

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

• provoking
• encouraging
• stimulating
• stirring
• arousing
• inciting
• inspiring
• moving
• instigating
• exciting
• triggering
• motivating
• igniting
• driving
• inducing
• firing (up)
• revving (up)
• piquing
• impassioning
• fanning
• motiving
• galvanizing
• inflaming
• activating
• building a fire under
• kindling
• energizing
• angering
• fomenting
• animating
• quickening
• vitalizing
• bothering
• enraging
• setting off
• fermenting
• keying (up)
• raising
• upsetting
• abetting
• teasing
• whipping (up)
• taunting
• pumping up
• jeering
• getting
• maddening
• irritating
• aggravating
• annoying
• exasperating
• vexing
• galling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calming
• soothing
• subduing
• tranquilizing
• appeasing
• pacifying
• placating
• mollifying

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sparking

Mining for copper fell in the first half of the year relative to the same period in 2025, sparking fears over long-term supplies of the metal, which is key for the clean energy transition and building data centers. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026

The economics of journalism itself, and the war is sparking options traders’ interest. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 21 Sep. 2026

Cawthon set up his own touchdown catch with a 54-yard kickoff return, sparking Lincoln-Way East’s comeback in a 38-17 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over host Sandburg in Orland Park. — Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

His detention is sparking fears that his life would be put in danger if he is deported to Nicaragua under the authoritarian regime of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife and co-President Rosario Murillo. — Sergio R. Bustos, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026

On Wednesday, Chancellor Friedrich Merz canceled his visit to the United Nations General Assembly next week, sparking speculation that he could soon be forced to resign. — Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026

That is sparking a whole industry that markets other peptides — largely unproved and untested — that are said to increase muscle growth, speed recovery and fight aging. — Jonathan Fahey, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

In July, ChatGPT-maker OpenAI announced that its AI agents hacked into the company Hugging Face, sparking concern among cybersecurity experts as well as consumers. — Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

Before the suspension, FCC chair Brendan Carr threatened ABC to take action against Kimmel, sparking outcry and accusations of government censorship. — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026