1
as in sparkles
to give off sparks
the broken radio sparked and smoked the instant it was plugged in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in triggers
to cause to function
interesting questions that are designed to spark the reader's brain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in provokes
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
as in splashes
a very small amount
not a spark of interest in the actress's memoirs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sparks
Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
Yet, there is a chance Flacco enters with his experience, professional accountability, strong arm and understanding of where the ball should go and sparks the most dynamic group of skill players he’s ever been given.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Whether in the form of travel or through learning something new, the excitement of trying something for the first time sparks an immense amount of joy.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Remembering that dark day sparks a range of emotions for Jews, said Berg.
—Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025
Unlike the legend in Shakespeare’s Hamlet — whose rejection by the Prince of Denmark sparks her unraveling — this fair-haired singing socialite will not be losing the plot.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
The larger conversation about caring for capybaras sparks some legal questions about the exotic animal.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Her choice challenges the rules of her world and sparks a rebellion that paves the way for a new way of life.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
Each card poses a question that sparks curiosity, creativity, or self-reflection, encouraging players to share stories and ideas while getting to know each other better.
—Emily Glover, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Mexico’s ‘anti-Hamilton’ musical sparks debate A controversial musical depicting the Spanish conquest of Mexico has ignited a transatlantic debate over Latin American history and identity.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Plus, the steel construction guarantees to serve as a safeguard against sparks.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2025
The warnings issued by both Gray and Caribou NWS offices reiterate that even small sparks under these conditions could cause rapid fire spread.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
The electrical equipment had sprayed sparks on the ground, Ware said, which started the fire.
—Chiara Eisner, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … VACANT SEAT – City councilmember resigns after vile comment made to Trump supporter sparks backlash.
—FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Some collaborations came from years of chemistry, others were brand new sparks.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
Erivo will voice Jayne Staplegun, a trailblazing fairy whose defiant streak sparks a rebellion.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
Yet, there is a chance Flacco enters with his experience, professional accountability, strong arm and understanding of where the ball should go and sparks the most dynamic group of skill players he’s ever been given.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Whether in the form of travel or through learning something new, the excitement of trying something for the first time sparks an immense amount of joy.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Remembering that dark day sparks a range of emotions for Jews, said Berg.
—Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025
Unlike the legend in Shakespeare’s Hamlet — whose rejection by the Prince of Denmark sparks her unraveling — this fair-haired singing socialite will not be losing the plot.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
The larger conversation about caring for capybaras sparks some legal questions about the exotic animal.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Her choice challenges the rules of her world and sparks a rebellion that paves the way for a new way of life.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
Each card poses a question that sparks curiosity, creativity, or self-reflection, encouraging players to share stories and ideas while getting to know each other better.
—Emily Glover, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
The romantic sparks transcended the boundaries of the screen, with the pair dating in real life from 2007 to 2010.
—Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Mexico’s ‘anti-Hamilton’ musical sparks debate A controversial musical depicting the Spanish conquest of Mexico has ignited a transatlantic debate over Latin American history and identity.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Plus, the steel construction guarantees to serve as a safeguard against sparks.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2025
The warnings issued by both Gray and Caribou NWS offices reiterate that even small sparks under these conditions could cause rapid fire spread.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
The electrical equipment had sprayed sparks on the ground, Ware said, which started the fire.
—Chiara Eisner, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … VACANT SEAT – City councilmember resigns after vile comment made to Trump supporter sparks backlash.
—FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Even minor sparks or drifting embers can incite nearby foliage or grass, setting off a rapidly spreading fire.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Some collaborations came from years of chemistry, others were brand new sparks.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparks
Verb
-
Jane Krakowski sparkles at a press day for Oh, Mary!—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
-
But even outside festival season, the city sparkles.—
Jeryl Brunner,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The hormone that triggers flowering is destroyed by light.—
Neil Sperry,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Trump peace deal triggers 72-hour countdown for Hamas to release 48 hostages from Gaza.—
,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Through her restraint, Roberts provokes in us some semblance of empathy for her character – in a movie where everyone else is basically monstrous.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Every action provokes a reaction.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Those bright white tees seem to be absolute stain magnets attracting coffee drips, spaghetti sauce spots, and salad dressing splashes.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Inventive prop makers undoubtedly experimented with other stand-ins for blood over the centuries, like splashes of red paint.—
Mark Hay,
Popular Science,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After charging in direct sunlight, the glass ball glows for eight hours through the night for a touch of ambiance in your outdoor space.—
Julia Fields,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Oct. 2025
-
At his best, Stevenson glows with charisma.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The position also activates your core and upper body, improving the function of your thoracic spine (the middle section connecting to your ribs).—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The 2025 October West Coast Storm disaster declaration activates state public and individual assistance programs, providing grants for infrastructure restoration, emergency medical and transportation costs, and temporary housing assistance.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Eating seasonally encourages a more varied diet that can support overall health and help the body adapt to seasonal changes.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The sheriff’s office advises parents to check children’s backpacks and encourages children to speak up to their teachers.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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During a season when even the most successful night of the year is marred by a devastating injury to the team’s best player, there are still glimmers of hope for the Dolphins.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Baker wisely doesn’t attempt to write entirely in Austen’s wry style, but glimmers do peek through.—
Barbara Ellis,
Denver Post,
21 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparks. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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