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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sparking
In fact, every apparent breakdown has turned into a bear trap, sparking powerful reversals in the opposite direction.
—
Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
The post has been liked more than 46,000 times in less than 24 hours, sparking a flurry of emotional comments in the process.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Kristen Bell seems to be keeping a low profile after sparking backlash with an Instagram post earlier this week.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
On Sunday, four masked thieves stole eight pieces of jewelry from the Louvre valued at $102 million, sparking a national outcry and nationwide manhunt.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
Several residential areas in Ukraine’s capital and the broader Kyiv region were struck, sparking fires in high-rises as residents scrambled to escape, according to city officials.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Photos of a bulldozer tearing through the wing’s facade went viral on social media this week, sparking criticism from historical societies and some political figures.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Did the crisis highlight the Kafkaesque absurdity of Cold War politics by sparking an international circle-jerk between various representatives from South Korea, North Korea, Japan, America, and the Soviet Union?
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2025
Dímelo King, celebrated for bridging music and digital storytelling in Colombia, brings a bold and controversy-ready approach, with episodes featuring artists such as Akapellah sparking debates on the authenticity of rap.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
The post has been liked more than 46,000 times in less than 24 hours, sparking a flurry of emotional comments in the process.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Kristen Bell seems to be keeping a low profile after sparking backlash with an Instagram post earlier this week.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
On Sunday, four masked thieves stole eight pieces of jewelry from the Louvre valued at $102 million, sparking a national outcry and nationwide manhunt.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
Several residential areas in Ukraine’s capital and the broader Kyiv region were struck, sparking fires in high-rises as residents scrambled to escape, according to city officials.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Photos of a bulldozer tearing through the wing’s facade went viral on social media this week, sparking criticism from historical societies and some political figures.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Did the crisis highlight the Kafkaesque absurdity of Cold War politics by sparking an international circle-jerk between various representatives from South Korea, North Korea, Japan, America, and the Soviet Union?
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2025
Dímelo King, celebrated for bridging music and digital storytelling in Colombia, brings a bold and controversy-ready approach, with episodes featuring artists such as Akapellah sparking debates on the authenticity of rap.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparking
Verb
-
But its 2019 refresh solidified its spot by proving that relaxing a bit — while maintaining its sparkling service and elevated dishes — doesn't mean sacrificing a sterling reputation.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Along with Park City and SLC celebrations of Redford’s life and work, like a screening of 1969 ski movie Downhill Racer, the January 22–February 1, 2026 SFF will fill its usual more low key second week with sparkling new digital restorations and accompanying panels of alums.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Less than 48 hours later, ICE shut down the block, barreling down Broadway against one-way traffic in armored vehicles, triggering national media attention and immediate protests.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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The newspaper said that one of the two men was planning to leave the country to Algeria, triggering the arrests.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This tender, wry and thought-provoking story offers a different perspective on looking for love, regret and the ‘what if’ of it all.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Skims is no stranger to bold and thought-provoking products, having previously caused a stir with its controversial line of face wraps.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Remember to be patient as auroras may arrive in quiet bursts, glowing faintly before becoming vibrant waves of color.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Some say the glowing eyes belong to the ghost of a soldier who lost his head to cannon fire during the battle of Chickamauga.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There's a Shimano shifter to the right and useful illuminated buttons to the left for adjusting PAS, sounding the horn, engaging turn signaling, and activating walk-assist.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
22 Oct. 2025
-
With Venus also in the mix, activating your ninth house of adventure, you’re reminded that life’s biggest lessons come through experience.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In low, incantatory voices, the lamas were reading from The Tibetan Book of the Dead, encouraging my grandmother to move forward without fear in the bardo between death and rebirth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
-
But rather than responding with anger, the university’s president, Astrid Tuminez, is encouraging dialogue.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Bandit had been found on a rural road in the middle of nowhere and would have died had his rescuer not been driving past.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
That driving tension and anxiety are largely thanks to the team of artisans, which included composer Volker Bertelmann, editor Kirk Baxter and sound designer Paul Ottosson, who worked closely behind the scenes on their respective crafts to bring it together.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Pneumococcal vaccines work by stimulating an immune system response to pneumonia bacteria.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
20 Oct. 2025
-
The mouse portion of the new research found that Covid mRNA vaccination appeared to make the immune system more attuned to recognizing tumors as a threat by stimulating dendritic cells, a type of white blood cell.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
NBC news,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparking. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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