1
as in sparkles
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 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
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2025
Quinten Post scored 14 points and Pat Spencer put in 10 with four assists as fellow sparks off the bench.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
Continue reading … CLARIFIED CASE – DHS fires back after viral video sparks claims about ICE daycare raid.
—FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Here’s why the Jeep and Ram parent is hoping the investment sparks a turnaround for the automaker.
—Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Trump's new surgeon general nominee sparks drama Means graduated from Stanford Medical School and pursued a surgical residency as an otolaryngologist, often called an ENT doctor.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
This sparks debate about whether owners of private sports teams like David Tepper with the Carolina Panthers pay themselves a salary for their work with their teams.
—Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2025
The question of how to manage Indiana's forests sparks some of the livelier and more contentious debates among local environmentalists.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 29 Oct. 2025
When a chance meeting sparks connection, their bond deepens, and secrets and holidays pressures force them to face what truly matters.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
The players-only meeting was one of two major sparks for Washington.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Investigators believe the fire started when a combine harvester in an agricultural field sent up some sort of sparks and ignited hay bales.
—Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
With sparks immediately flying, Derek offers Nikki a dream job working at the winery.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
Researchers recreated various fire and non-fire situations, such as lighters, welding sparks, and electric heaters, to train the AI for accurate fire identification.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
Multiple smaller explosions were also caught on camera, lighting up the night with electrical sparks into the night sky with sharp popping sounds.
—Bonny Chu , Landon Mion , Elizabeth Pritchett, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
In the video, a fireball erupts several feet into the air and past the building’s panes of glass, showering sparks.
—Phil Helsel, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
Not lightning bolts of clarity — just little sparks.
—Rochelle Ratkaj, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
While details of Gatwa’s character are not yet known, Erivo’s Jayne is described as a trailblazing fairy whose defiant streak sparks a rebellion.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2025
Quinten Post scored 14 points and Pat Spencer put in 10 with four assists as fellow sparks off the bench.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2025
Continue reading … CLARIFIED CASE – DHS fires back after viral video sparks claims about ICE daycare raid.
—FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Here’s why the Jeep and Ram parent is hoping the investment sparks a turnaround for the automaker.
—Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Trump's new surgeon general nominee sparks drama Means graduated from Stanford Medical School and pursued a surgical residency as an otolaryngologist, often called an ENT doctor.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
This sparks debate about whether owners of private sports teams like David Tepper with the Carolina Panthers pay themselves a salary for their work with their teams.
—Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2025
The question of how to manage Indiana's forests sparks some of the livelier and more contentious debates among local environmentalists.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 29 Oct. 2025
When a chance meeting sparks connection, their bond deepens, and secrets and holidays pressures force them to face what truly matters.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
But as Venus and the sun move into Aquarius, love takes on a more practical tone, showing you how consistency can be just as seductive as the actual sparks.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
The players-only meeting was one of two major sparks for Washington.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Investigators believe the fire started when a combine harvester in an agricultural field sent up some sort of sparks and ignited hay bales.
—Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
With sparks immediately flying, Derek offers Nikki a dream job working at the winery.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
Researchers recreated various fire and non-fire situations, such as lighters, welding sparks, and electric heaters, to train the AI for accurate fire identification.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
Multiple smaller explosions were also caught on camera, lighting up the night with electrical sparks into the night sky with sharp popping sounds.
—Bonny Chu , Landon Mion , Elizabeth Pritchett, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
In the video, a fireball erupts several feet into the air and past the building’s panes of glass, showering sparks.
—Phil Helsel, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
Not lightning bolts of clarity — just little sparks.
—Rochelle Ratkaj, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparks
Verb
-
Here, Mock shares the mistakes that are standing between you and a bathroom that truly sparkles.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
6 Jan. 2026
-
For The Washington Post As the days get shorter, the nights longer, and the air has grown so chilled that even the gentlest of breezes feels like a slap in the face, the city sparkles with twinkling lights everywhere.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
If a situation escalates, pressing and holding the SOS button triggers a full safety sequence.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The big risk as things stand is that an adversary misreads his mixed signals, oversteps, and triggers an escalation nobody wants.—
Comfort Ero,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The result is a film that provokes thought more than feeling, one that invites discussion, while denying audiences the emotional dimension that might have driven home its relevance.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
3 Jan. 2026
-
But when her latest husband, discord spirit Raksh, provokes the council’s wrath, Amina must clean up his blunder, contend with Marjana’s demands for the truth…and figure out who on her crew is plotting a mutiny.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Designed for high-performance durability, the IP65 water-resistant frames are crafted from lightweight TR90 material, ensuring a pressure-free fit that can withstand sweat and splashes.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Stanley 12-Ounce Stay-Hot Camp Mug A secure, press-to-fit lid ensures that this mug locks in your drink’s temperature and prevents splashes simultaneously.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
On dark nights, the rim of the crater glows orange.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Inside, light from shaded lamps and sconces glows amber-soft.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When the steering wheel is retracted, the vehicle activates a passenger airbag integrated into the instrument panel.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Beginning with a spark early in the year, as a solar eclipse in Aquarius activates your romantic and creative side, don’t be surprised if love feels playful again, as this new beginning encourages flirtation, spontaneity and intellectual expression.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Pruning perennials at the right time encourages plants to leaf out, grow bushier, develop sturdier stems, and potentially produce more flowers.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Loudermilk says this is just one of the many ways Lions Clubs work to support their communities and encourages anyone interested in joining to reach out.—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
From there, the glimmers of a more peaceful existence — one fueled by expression, not recklessness — give Lidia hope.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
This year, there were glimmers of affordability, with some states like Florida, Texas, and California seeing average home prices decline in 2025 from their peaks.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
26 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparks. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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