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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sparking
Hall subsequently crashed the vehicle along the Southwest Freeway and attempted to flee on foot, sparking an hours-long standoff in a nearby residential area, according to the outlet.
—
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Senate Republicans doubled down on their plan Friday in the final days of the legislative session, sparking confusion as competing elections proposals advance during the frenetic closing days of the 40-day session.
—Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 27 Mar. 2026
When the victim pulled his phone out, the mugger grabbed it and started to walk off with it, sparking a brawl, cops were told.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Just two months ago, Trump’s immigration crackdown reached a fever pitch in Minnesota as federal agents fatally shot two American citizens while conducting street-by-street migrant roundups — sparking still more protests across the nation, particularly among high school and college students.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
The film also showed attacks by conservative TV commentator Sean Hannity, who accused parents of exploiting girls, sparking a right-wing media frenzy and even threats to the organization.
—Kamren Curiel, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
And that uncertainty is sparking a fresh round of litigation.
—Alison Graham Larson, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026
This most recent change to Wikipedia’s guidelines was proposed by Chaotic Enby, sparking a lengthy discussion between editors.
—Emma Roth, The Verge, 26 Mar. 2026
Excessive rain caused torrents of water to wash out homes, damage roads, and threaten to burst a dam, sparking an emergency evacuation of thousands in Oahu on March 20.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Senate Republicans doubled down on their plan Friday in the final days of the legislative session, sparking confusion as competing elections proposals advance during the frenetic closing days of the 40-day session.
—Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 27 Mar. 2026
When the victim pulled his phone out, the mugger grabbed it and started to walk off with it, sparking a brawl, cops were told.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Just two months ago, Trump’s immigration crackdown reached a fever pitch in Minnesota as federal agents fatally shot two American citizens while conducting street-by-street migrant roundups — sparking still more protests across the nation, particularly among high school and college students.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
The film also showed attacks by conservative TV commentator Sean Hannity, who accused parents of exploiting girls, sparking a right-wing media frenzy and even threats to the organization.
—Kamren Curiel, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
And that uncertainty is sparking a fresh round of litigation.
—Alison Graham Larson, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026
This most recent change to Wikipedia’s guidelines was proposed by Chaotic Enby, sparking a lengthy discussion between editors.
—Emma Roth, The Verge, 26 Mar. 2026
Excessive rain caused torrents of water to wash out homes, damage roads, and threaten to burst a dam, sparking an emergency evacuation of thousands in Oahu on March 20.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparking
Verb
-
Instead he was given an unlabeled bottle that announcers speculated was sparkling water.—
Sahil Kapur,
NBC news,
29 Mar. 2026
-
While she’s been spotted with bolder manicures during her Life of a Showgirl era—from chunky French tips to an orange sparkling cinnamon set—this latest look is a bit more demure.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These seemingly innocuous actions can kindle dry grass, potentially triggering a wildfire.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
-
By 2033, the trust fund will run dry, triggering that immense, across-the-board drop that is slated to punish the most vulnerable Americans by collapsing all benefits an equal share regardless of income.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When not in the newsroom, Munis is often out on the streets with his camera, capturing the perfect portrait or settling in to watch a thought-provoking film.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Mar. 2026
-
This documentary plumbs the issue in a personal, entertaining and thought-provoking way.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At one point, there’s a montage that bounces between Irene practicing at the ballet bar, almost glowing with angelic light, and Soames signing his name onto documents at the office.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Now, thanks to a raft of glowing reviews, sky-high audience exit-polling scores, and commensurate word-of-mouth buzz, Project Hail Mary is well on its way to recouping its $200 production budget (which does not include another $150 million or so in prints and advertising costs).—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After activating his emergency lights and leaving his vehicle to assist the disabled car, officials say a passing vehicle caused another car to swerve onto the shoulder, fatally striking the man.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The Starlink constellation has expanded dramatically in recent years, activating a milestone 10,000th satellite last week.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Felder suggested that the Beth El rabbis send out a congregation-wide e-mail offering guidance on how to respond to the humanitarian crisis—say, by directing members to relief groups or by encouraging members to contact their representatives in Congress to exert pressure on Israel.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Your 4th House of Protection hosts contentment-seeking Venus, encouraging you to take comfort in your private world.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kristopher David was driving to work Wednesday morning near the intersection of Broward Boulevard and Seventh Avenue when a black Audi, traveling westbound at a high rate of speed, T-boned his white BMW.—
Nikiya Carrero,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Wake early to catch the spectacle of sunrise before driving 30 minutes to the neighboring Santa Teresa.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Form Insoles combine mechanical arch support with a neuro-stimulating texture, which is proven to reduce foot fatigue and arch pain by increasing overall foot awareness and foot posture.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The skin care tool is trending for its scalp-stimulating benefits.—
Fiona Ward,
Glamour,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparking. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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