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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sparking
The Boston Symphony Orchestra has also ousted its popular music director, sparking a crisis among donors, patrons and audiences.
—
Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 7 June 2026
The race for Susan Collins’ seat sparking a new reckoning about how Democrats deal with scandal.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
Both women identified Dennis as their pimp, sparking a months-long investigation, according to his arrest affidavit.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 4 June 2026
Late last month, an enormous structure was erected on the South Lawn, towering over the White House mansion behind it, and sparking intrigue on Instagram, X and other social platforms.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
Clips of groups sneaking in and out of Brooklyn manholes in the middle of the night have gone viral, sparking a police investigation and concern amongst locals across the city.
—Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 4 June 2026
The victims' bodies were found over multiple months in early 2023, sparking concern at the time that a serial killer might be targeting young women in the region.
—CBS News, 4 June 2026
There have also been allegations that some ticket buyers got worse seats than expected, sparking investigations in New York and New Jersey.
—Jesse Kirsch, NBC news, 4 June 2026
Decades ago, two six-year-olds went missing for thirty-six hours, sparking a media frenzy that they had been briefly abducted by UFOs but eventually relegating them to a pop cultural punchline.
—Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 7 June 2026
The race for Susan Collins’ seat sparking a new reckoning about how Democrats deal with scandal.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
Both women identified Dennis as their pimp, sparking a months-long investigation, according to his arrest affidavit.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 4 June 2026
Late last month, an enormous structure was erected on the South Lawn, towering over the White House mansion behind it, and sparking intrigue on Instagram, X and other social platforms.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026
Clips of groups sneaking in and out of Brooklyn manholes in the middle of the night have gone viral, sparking a police investigation and concern amongst locals across the city.
—Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 4 June 2026
The victims' bodies were found over multiple months in early 2023, sparking concern at the time that a serial killer might be targeting young women in the region.
—CBS News, 4 June 2026
There have also been allegations that some ticket buyers got worse seats than expected, sparking investigations in New York and New Jersey.
—Jesse Kirsch, NBC news, 4 June 2026
Decades ago, two six-year-olds went missing for thirty-six hours, sparking a media frenzy that they had been briefly abducted by UFOs but eventually relegating them to a pop cultural punchline.
—Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparking
Verb
-
Set on a plaza shaped like a massive record player, the sparkling glass pyramid of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame stands out in Cleveland’s industrial skyline.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
From there, fresh grapefruit juice in lieu of lime adds brightness, while mineral water or sparkling water keeps things light and refreshing.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The economic strain is triggering a broader pullback in consumer spending and retail traffic.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
-
MacDougall also argued that directing the drug to work on one tooth specifically may not be possible, potentially triggering unwanted tooth growth across several teeth.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Ciara and Interracial Dating in the Bravosphere The most thought-provoking moment of the episode concerned the online minefield that is interracial dating in the Bravosphere, a network that features predominantly white casts.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
3 June 2026
-
Cattelan is known for satirical pieces that challenge popular culture, often provoking debates around conceptual art.—
Jack Guy,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
And for curls and coils, Carol’s Daughter has earned more than 12,000 glowing reviews—often in rotation in Vogue’s Kiana Murden’s regimen.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
8 June 2026
-
On a recent night in Havana, as another blackout darkened much of the city, taxi driver Leonardo Daniel González steered a friend’s glowing purple 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster through the darkness.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
By activating its regional proxy, the Houthis in Yemen, Iran could orchestrate the closure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, blocking another vital artery connecting major trade routes between Europe, Asia and the Arab world.—
CNN Staff,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
-
That means activating our downtown with farmers markets, cultural events, outdoor gatherings, and community programming that gives residents a reason to be there.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Cuts expected to remain include a sharp reduction in zoning investigators, the elimination of a fee waiver encouraging sidewalk repairs and cuts to the city’s bomb squad.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
-
Efforts to increase births have accelerated in recent years as the full scale of the population crisis has become clearer, with new policies ranging from childbirth and housing subsidies to encouraging more fathers to take paternity leave.—
Yumi Asada,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
And because the state is naturally scenic with varied terrain from one area to the next, driving between these sights ends up being a journey in and of itself.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
At first, local leaders thought tuberculosis may have been driving the deaths.—
Dr. Sanjay Gupta,
CNN Money,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The honors program provides students with innovative and stimulating academic programming through high-impact learning practices.—
Aegis,
Baltimore Sun,
28 May 2026
-
Cinnamon can be used for everything from germination to protecting plants from pests and diseases, from stimulating plant growth to as a natural antiseptic, fungicide, and pest repellent.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparking. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
