1
as in sparkling
to give off sparks
the broken radio sparked and smoked the instant it was plugged in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
During the coronavirus pandemic, Americans faced economic hardship and instability, sparking the federal government to send out several rounds of stimulus checks.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
The video has since resurfaced in the new year, sparking a wave of nostalgia as fans pointed out how some of Kim's predictions missed the mark, especially with two of her sisters.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
View 12 Images View gallery - 12 images In June 1974, the offices of the Summa Corporation in LA were broken into, sparking the revelation of one of the oddest and boldest stories in the history of espionage.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2025
For social situations or when the craving for an alcoholic drink may be stronger, have non-alcoholic drinks around, like sparking water, soda or mocktails.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025
An $80 purse sold by Walmart has gone viral for its resemblance to the iconic and exclusive Hermès Birkin bag—and sparking a debate about luxury fashion.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 3 Jan. 2025
Adding to the uncertainty, Wuhan hosts several research labs specializing in coronavirus collection and study, sparking ongoing debate over whether the virus could have leaked from one of these facilities.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
The northern lights are usually triggered by huge clouds of plasma spat out from the sun—known as coronal mass ejections or CMEs—hitting our planet's magnetic field and sparking a geomagnetic storm.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Both have been hot topics in AI, sparking both fear and excitement.
—Lutz Finger, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
The video has since resurfaced in the new year, sparking a wave of nostalgia as fans pointed out how some of Kim's predictions missed the mark, especially with two of her sisters.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
View 12 Images View gallery - 12 images In June 1974, the offices of the Summa Corporation in LA were broken into, sparking the revelation of one of the oddest and boldest stories in the history of espionage.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2025
For social situations or when the craving for an alcoholic drink may be stronger, have non-alcoholic drinks around, like sparking water, soda or mocktails.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025
An $80 purse sold by Walmart has gone viral for its resemblance to the iconic and exclusive Hermès Birkin bag—and sparking a debate about luxury fashion.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 3 Jan. 2025
Adding to the uncertainty, Wuhan hosts several research labs specializing in coronavirus collection and study, sparking ongoing debate over whether the virus could have leaked from one of these facilities.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
The northern lights are usually triggered by huge clouds of plasma spat out from the sun—known as coronal mass ejections or CMEs—hitting our planet's magnetic field and sparking a geomagnetic storm.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Both have been hot topics in AI, sparking both fear and excitement.
—Lutz Finger, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparking
Verb
-
This will deepen the divide between the global North and South on issues of race and cultural difference, straining the West’s diplomatic relations with countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America while provoking broader resentment toward Western countries seen as perpetuating racial hierarchies.—
Matias Spektor,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
-
In 2008, the United States suggested that Georgia and Ukraine might eventually join the alliance but offered no concrete path to membership, thus provoking Russia without effectively deterring it.—
Michael Beckley,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Over 12,000 glowing Amazon ratings back up the hype.—
Becca Blond,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Apr. 2025
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The episode follows Maria (Siena Kelly), a food researcher whose latest project receives a glowing review from a focus group subject named Verity (Rosy McEwen), one of Maria's ex-classmates who was relentlessly bullied in school.—
Joey Nolfi,
EW.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The existing podium of the nearby Palace of Youth has been extended to merge with the theater’s base, further enhancing connectivity and activating the area as a vibrant public space.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
14 Mar. 2025
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Using optogenetics, a technique that enables scientists to manipulate neural activity with light-sensitive proteins, the researchers found that activating oxytocin-responsive neurons encouraged rescue behavior even among unfamiliar mice.—
Discover Magazine,
Discover Magazine,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Thursday’s swings also hit the bond market, which had been showing encouraging signals earlier in the day that stress may be easing.—
Time,
Time,
11 Apr. 2025
-
At the time, Meta issued similar guidance, releasing an update that solved the breach and encouraging users to move to the latest version of WhatsApp.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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So what’s driving the need for these changes?—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
By forcing his posts to the top of feeds, elevating like-minded voices, and driving critics off the platform, Musk revealed the raw power of ownership.—
Jackie Snow,
Quartz,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But at the time, the theory that providing children with stimulating activities would help them more than rote learning and academic drills was revolutionary.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
6 Jan. 2025
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For only the second time in at least a decade, top leaders last month made stimulating spending and domestic demand their top priority in 2025.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune Asia,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Add the 3 ½ tablespoons butter and, stirring continuously, cook until the caramel reaches 238 degrees, 15 to 20 minutes more.—
Kelly Brant,
arkansasonline.com,
7 Jan. 2025
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Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook uncovered without stirring.—
Kelly Brant,
arkansasonline.com,
7 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparking. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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