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
Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026
The tragic admission, coming more than a week after Guthrie’s last appeal to her mother’s captors, sparks questions as to why investigators and the family chose to wait weeks to put forward such a large and enticing reward.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 25 Feb. 2026
Continue reading … POLITICS BORDER BATTLE — Texas surges state troopers to border after cartel kingpin death sparks violence.
—FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Select art that complements your home’s design but also sparks conversation, adds depth, and evolves with time.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 23 Feb. 2026
Removing the safety language sparks concerns for some nonprofit accountability scholars like Alnoor Ebrahim, who first noticed the change and warned of a potential ominous future ahead for a company marred by growing safety concerns.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
Adorning your walls with beautiful art is a great way to finish off a room, but there’s a lot to consider—a gallery wall, a statement piece that sparks conversation, or something in the middle?
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
Your 3rd House of Debate sparks against your upbeat 5th house during this Mars-Chiron trine.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
The final product not only brings them pride, but also sparks hope for a brighter future.
—Libby Smith, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026
The tips of leaves would then discharge the electricity, producing blue sparks, or coronas.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2026
Secure trailer chains to prevent sparks, properly dispose of cigarettes, and avoid parking vehicles on dry grass where hot exhaust systems can ignite vegetation.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
General Daily Insight for February 19, 2026 Small sparks could lead to brave starts now.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
The sparks thrown off in the process could become the energy for better thoughts—for more complex and perhaps even original ideas.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
Firefighters responded after several fireworks were shot from the bridge by an unidentified group of people, lighting up the sky and showering the asphalt with sparks as people got up close to take video and pictures.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Stevens leans into Michigan manufacturing Wearing a welding helmet and gloves, Stevens moved in close toward flying sparks as a plumbing apprentice showed off his welding technique at a union training workshop in Saginaw.
—CBS News, 15 Feb. 2026
Wearing a welding helmet and gloves, Stevens moved in close toward flying sparks as a plumbing apprentice showed off his welding technique at a union training workshop in Saginaw.
—ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
Set against the charming backdrop of North Carolina, Bride Wars, the TV series, follows abig-city wedding planner (Emma Roberts) whose arrival in a small town sparks an epic showdown with a beloved local planner.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026
The tragic admission, coming more than a week after Guthrie’s last appeal to her mother’s captors, sparks questions as to why investigators and the family chose to wait weeks to put forward such a large and enticing reward.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 25 Feb. 2026
Continue reading … POLITICS BORDER BATTLE — Texas surges state troopers to border after cartel kingpin death sparks violence.
—FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Select art that complements your home’s design but also sparks conversation, adds depth, and evolves with time.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 23 Feb. 2026
Removing the safety language sparks concerns for some nonprofit accountability scholars like Alnoor Ebrahim, who first noticed the change and warned of a potential ominous future ahead for a company marred by growing safety concerns.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026
Adorning your walls with beautiful art is a great way to finish off a room, but there’s a lot to consider—a gallery wall, a statement piece that sparks conversation, or something in the middle?
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
Your 3rd House of Debate sparks against your upbeat 5th house during this Mars-Chiron trine.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
The final product not only brings them pride, but also sparks hope for a brighter future.
—Libby Smith, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
If fires start, the winds and low humidity will help sparks spread more easily, making fires more difficult to contain.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026
The tips of leaves would then discharge the electricity, producing blue sparks, or coronas.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2026
Secure trailer chains to prevent sparks, properly dispose of cigarettes, and avoid parking vehicles on dry grass where hot exhaust systems can ignite vegetation.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
General Daily Insight for February 19, 2026 Small sparks could lead to brave starts now.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
The sparks thrown off in the process could become the energy for better thoughts—for more complex and perhaps even original ideas.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
Firefighters responded after several fireworks were shot from the bridge by an unidentified group of people, lighting up the sky and showering the asphalt with sparks as people got up close to take video and pictures.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Stevens leans into Michigan manufacturing Wearing a welding helmet and gloves, Stevens moved in close toward flying sparks as a plumbing apprentice showed off his welding technique at a union training workshop in Saginaw.
—CBS News, 15 Feb. 2026
Wearing a welding helmet and gloves, Stevens moved in close toward flying sparks as a plumbing apprentice showed off his welding technique at a union training workshop in Saginaw.
—ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparks
Verb
-
In the doc Margolyes sparkles when in company, whether that be royalty, celeb, or Director Simon.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The hotel sparkles like a gem set in an island paradise.—
José Cantillo Ferrer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
New findings from Maryland researchers show that seeing someone get relief from pain on screen triggers a similar empathy reaction in the viewer.—
Karl Hille,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Feb. 2026
-
If opposition to immigration enforcement triggers subpoenas by the government to businesses to provide the identity of dissenters, that is a problem for the Constitution.—
Stephanie A,
The Conversation,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The aroma of coffee brewing reliably provokes desire.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Deadline can reveal the first trailer for the radical love story revolving around Suzanne and undocumented migrant Osmane, whose relationship provokes a wave of anger and indignation all around them, forcing them to resist.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Lightweight cottons and linens feel airy and relaxed, while washable blends are practical in a space consistently exposed to cooking splatter, splashes, and humidity.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Kitchens and breakfast nooks live closer to steam, splashes, and open cabinet doors.—
Maria Williams,
Ascend Agency,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In San Francisco, Chinatown glows with lanterns, pop‑up performances, and bustling markets as the city builds toward its iconic Chinese New Year Parade on March 7 — one of the largest outside Asia.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Your 5th House of Creativity glows with a Solar Eclipse, inviting playful expression and heartfelt risk that helps love and artistry feel alive again.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Scientists have discovered that a soft, loving caress activates specific nerve fibers that light up parts of the brain associated with emotion, not just sensation.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Crushing or chopping garlic activates allicin, its key compound, and fresh ginger provides gingerol.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Paramount’s pressure campaign had been relentless, first winning over theater owners, who expressed alarm over Netflix’s business model that encourages consumers to watch movies in their homes.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The former vice president encourages voters to cast an early ballot Friday or vote in person on election day.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The novel is famously austere, with mere glimmers of physical intimacy.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
In non-theme park play, the game revolves around Illumineers, glimmers, inklands, a lorebook and other buzzwords and actions that are important to players.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparks. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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