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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of sparks
Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 13 May 2026
Regardless of the verdict, the initiative sparks broader efforts like planting wildflowers and reducing pesticide use.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 May 2026
Maybe Sunday’s momentous hit will be the one that sparks him.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Richie, an audiophile, immediately recognizes the artist and sparks up a conversation.
—Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Over half a century ago, NASA's Apollo 17 crew reported seeing multiple unidentified objects in space, including three mysterious dots and sparks that resembled fireworks, according to new files released by the Pentagon.
—Stephen Smith, CBS News, 8 May 2026
While this tube sconce is minimalist, its simplicity still sparks interest with a design that showcases both Industrial and Art Deco elements.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2026
As word of the outbreak spreads and sparks fears of a global pandemic, those on the ship report a rollercoaster of emotions.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Aside from the occasional signs of energy from Urban, the movie only really sparks to life when laser-eyed Australian mercenary Kano (Josh Lawson) is brought back for reasons even the other characters in the movie acknowledge are unwarranted.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 6 May 2026
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2026
The peas themselves are piled like cabochons over a thin pastry shell, dressed in a tart citrus vinaigrette and studded with slivers of pickled shallots that deliver bracing little sparks of brine against the crisp sweetness of the legumes.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 10 May 2026
With the Sun in your 3rd House sextiling Jupiter in your 5th House of Creativity, conversations, writing, and creative sparks have unusual momentum.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026
There was lots of sparks that are happening.
—Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Your first job is full of those sparks.
—Andy Molinsky, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
The cause of the plane’s malfunctions is, duh, random sparks from annoying Dan’s charger starting a fire in cargo.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
Surveillance video shows sparks were flying as the vehicle slid into the building.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
That blaze was started by sparks from a welding operation.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
Iran denies ever withdrawing from the Venice Biennale, and the Somalia Pavilion sparks controversy.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 13 May 2026
Regardless of the verdict, the initiative sparks broader efforts like planting wildflowers and reducing pesticide use.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 May 2026
Maybe Sunday’s momentous hit will be the one that sparks him.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Richie, an audiophile, immediately recognizes the artist and sparks up a conversation.
—Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Over half a century ago, NASA's Apollo 17 crew reported seeing multiple unidentified objects in space, including three mysterious dots and sparks that resembled fireworks, according to new files released by the Pentagon.
—Stephen Smith, CBS News, 8 May 2026
While this tube sconce is minimalist, its simplicity still sparks interest with a design that showcases both Industrial and Art Deco elements.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2026
As word of the outbreak spreads and sparks fears of a global pandemic, those on the ship report a rollercoaster of emotions.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 7 May 2026
Aside from the occasional signs of energy from Urban, the movie only really sparks to life when laser-eyed Australian mercenary Kano (Josh Lawson) is brought back for reasons even the other characters in the movie acknowledge are unwarranted.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 6 May 2026
Noun
Even sparks or embers carried by the wind can ignite nearby leaves or grass, triggering a fire that spreads rapidly.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2026
The peas themselves are piled like cabochons over a thin pastry shell, dressed in a tart citrus vinaigrette and studded with slivers of pickled shallots that deliver bracing little sparks of brine against the crisp sweetness of the legumes.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 10 May 2026
With the Sun in your 3rd House sextiling Jupiter in your 5th House of Creativity, conversations, writing, and creative sparks have unusual momentum.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 10 May 2026
There was lots of sparks that are happening.
—Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Your first job is full of those sparks.
—Andy Molinsky, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
The cause of the plane’s malfunctions is, duh, random sparks from annoying Dan’s charger starting a fire in cargo.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
Surveillance video shows sparks were flying as the vehicle slid into the building.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
That blaze was started by sparks from a welding operation.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparks
Verb
-
On this campus tour, Kirkland showed off the three-year-old football stadium that sparkles, and the new baseball and softball diamonds nearby.—
Joe Davidson
May 7,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
-
The lobby’s long chandelier sparkles above low-rise velvet chairs, and Frank Stella and other large-scale artworks punctuate every corner.—
Carrie Honaker,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
That level of accuracy is what triggers panic and lowers your guard.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
-
The test cases—meaning the HTML or other code that triggers an unsafe memory condition—are provided in each one and meet the same criteria Mozilla requires for all bugs to be considered security vulnerabilities in Firefox.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
But the question of what is true or not is futile, even if Calle deliberately provokes this curiosity.—
Elisa Wouk Almino
Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The flurry of imagery provokes a surreal sort of whiplash.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Caffeine powders, energy drink mixes and juice splashes can pile on stimulants and sugar quickly, especially when stacked together in the same drink.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
7 May 2026
-
Morning is generally better than evening, because any splashes have time to dry before nightfall.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Below, sits Altair, while Deneb glows to the left, representing the tail of the great swan in the constellation Cygnus.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
11 May 2026
-
It can be used as a nightlight, glows in seven colors and features a selection of soothing soundscapes.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Tonight the Aries Moon activates ambition, and a decision about visibility or leadership may suddenly feel obvious.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
-
Leaning forward demands strength and stability in your core and lower back, while a rowing motion activates your shoulder, arm, and upper back muscles.—
Jenessa Connor,
Health,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Armbruster encourages drivers to compare prices between stations instead of automatically stopping at the same place every time to fill up.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 May 2026
-
The equal time law encourages more speech and empowers voters to decide the outcome of elections.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
While math achievement saw a rebound after the pandemic, reading continued to decline through 2024, with 2025 offering glimmers of a turnaround, the report said.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
The Melissa is a slightly wider shape for more coverage and balance on longer or wider faces, with a chunky gold hinge that glimmers in the sun.—
Kelsey Legg,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparks. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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