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

Hackers raised the temperature of refrigerators and freezers, sparking fires and causing food to spoil. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 13 Oct. 2026

Belgal was shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer during an attempted arrest Thursday, sparking backlash from Mamdani’s progressive base. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 12 Oct. 2026

Reuters reports that police accelerated their apprehension of the suspects after one visited another museum, sparking concerns that a second theft was nigh. — News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026

The introduction of Chud Thai is credited with sparking a renaissance in the industries needed to create the silhouettes, such as silk weaving. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2026

Killing a Bear Movistar Plus, Arte France In 2020, Cachou, a brown bear, is found dead in a ravine, sparking a criminal investigation. — Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

After his ex-wife, Christine Baumgartner, filed for divorce in May 2023, the 71-year-old actor has been sparking romance rumors with a number of women, both in and out of the entertainment industry. — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026

These fatalities are sparking calls for drivers to pay more attention and stray away from driving while under the influence. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Ukrainian forces have repeatedly attacked refineries from Moscow to Siberia, sparking a widespread fuel crisis in Russia earlier this year that forced authorities to restrict gasoline sales. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026