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

Emergency measures are working to stabilize an under-construction, high-rise building in Midtown Manhattan after its two support columns buckled, sparking concerns of a partial collapse, officials said. — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Both films premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, with The Invite sparking a major bidding war; it was eventually picked up by A24 for $12 million. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 July 2026

José, 17, shoots a horror short film with his friends in the local cemetery sparking rumours of a satanic cult, which build to collective hysteria. — John Hopewell, Variety, 7 July 2026

Houssem Aouar finally spied a gap in the Austrian defence and sent Mahrez through to score, sparking jubilation before Sasa Kalajdzic’s header confirmed a ridiculous ending to a game that was dramatic, bleak and then dramatic again. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 7 July 2026

At the time of this writing, Balogun's automatic one-game suspension was overturned by FIFA, sparking worldwide controversy. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 6 July 2026

Deputy State Fire Marshals suspect the fireworks may have ignited flammable items that were inside the trash can, ultimately sparking the fire, per the press release. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026

LeBron James is reportedly leaving the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons and one championship, sparking widespread speculation about his next move and Bronny James's future. — Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

The protests became a flash point, sparking similar incidents in several other cities in Tennessee and at least one in Florida. — Rachel Tepper Paley, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026