1
2
as in triggered
to cause to function
interesting questions that are designed to spark the reader's brain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in provoked
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 sparked
This has sparked criticism from the opposition who say that calls for sacrifice now do little to address India’s deeper economic vulnerabilities.
—
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 May 2026
Kurtz, the reigning American League Rookie of the Year, sparked a six-run third inning with an RBI single, keyed a two-run sixth with a two-run single and added a two-run double in a four-run eighth.
—CBS News, 20 May 2026
The finding sparked decades of research into self-regulation and its role in achievement.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Both deaths sparked outrage among Venezuelans and human rights defenders, while the opposition and human-rights groups demanded justice in Quero’s case.
—Gustavo Ocando Alex, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Kurtz, the reigning American League rookie of the year, sparked a six-run third inning with an RBI single, keyed a two-run sixth with a two-run single and added a two-run double in a four-run eighth.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
The Justice Department’s treatment of Maxwell while in custody has sparked concern from House Democrats.
—Cq Roll Call, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026
His goal sparked wild celebrations inside St Mary’s, none more so than in the press box, where Southampton’s analysts, doing the opposite of keeping a low profile amid the allegations levelled at the club, were enthusiastically bouncing around.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 13 May 2026
The video sparked a widespread discussion about the complimentary device and its cleanliness.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 May 2026
Kurtz, the reigning American League Rookie of the Year, sparked a six-run third inning with an RBI single, keyed a two-run sixth with a two-run single and added a two-run double in a four-run eighth.
—CBS News, 20 May 2026
The finding sparked decades of research into self-regulation and its role in achievement.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Both deaths sparked outrage among Venezuelans and human rights defenders, while the opposition and human-rights groups demanded justice in Quero’s case.
—Gustavo Ocando Alex, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Kurtz, the reigning American League rookie of the year, sparked a six-run third inning with an RBI single, keyed a two-run sixth with a two-run single and added a two-run double in a four-run eighth.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
The Justice Department’s treatment of Maxwell while in custody has sparked concern from House Democrats.
—Cq Roll Call, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026
His goal sparked wild celebrations inside St Mary’s, none more so than in the press box, where Southampton’s analysts, doing the opposite of keeping a low profile amid the allegations levelled at the club, were enthusiastically bouncing around.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 13 May 2026
The video sparked a widespread discussion about the complimentary device and its cleanliness.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparked
Verb
-
Braves starting pitcher Bryce Elder, once again, sparkled.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
17 May 2026
-
Sequins sparkled, trains swept the red carpet and diamonds flashed in every direction as celebrities stepped out for the 79th Cannes Film Festival in France.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Foreign governments are dumping US Treasury bonds to stabilize their currencies amid the energy shock and financial volatility triggered by the Iran war.—
Tasneem Nashrulla,
semafor.com,
19 May 2026
-
The median 4-week loss after the sell signal is triggered has been 1%, according to the bank's review of 24 sell signals going back to 2011.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
No surprise that the rationale provoked instant social media outrage.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
-
Similar summaries of the show in the magazine Soap Opera Digest provoked outrage within the fledgling magazine’s readership.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The Grammy-winning R&B singer, 39, glowed in an all-white ERL suit, which combined a puffy, floor-length jacket with a retro-style shirt and enlarged bow tie.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
-
Feldstein glowed in a pink lacy dress, smiling as her wife Roberts placed a hand on her stomach.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Preliminary findings from the train's black box showed the emergency braking system was activated only about 100 meters, or roughly 330 feet, before impact, which was not enough distance to stop the train in time, according to Thai PBS, as cited by the outlet.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
-
The California Highway Patrol never issued an Amber Alert because Lee’s vehicle had already crossed into Mexico before the alert could be activated; an Endangered Missing Advisory was issued instead on July 11.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Jimenez’s ‘Si Senor’ song was belted out at regular intervals and fans would have been encouraged to hear the Mexican, speaking after the game, open up the prospect of a return to Wolves when his Fulham contract expires this summer.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Matching the anything-goes vibe that flows through the resort, the breezy restaurant pavilion is merely a suggestion—ordering lunch or dinner to your private terrace, a candlelit table on the beach, or one of the dozen-or-so secret seating nooks scattered around the property is actively encouraged.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Sequins sparkled, trains swept the red carpet and diamonds flashed in every direction as celebrities stepped out for the 79th Cannes Film Festival in France.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
-
The stars, who have worked together on several of the house’s campaigns, warmly embraced and then immediately started gabbing as cameras flashed around them and fans clamored to get the perfect shot.—
Katie Abel,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Qassem and Hanan drove from one hospital to another, trying to find Malak, while Ali stayed behind and kept looking for Zahra.—
Rania Abouzeid,
New Yorker,
21 May 2026
-
In the Patriot League, Madison Adams went 3-for-3 with two triples and drove in two runs, backing Caroline Arruda’s 11 strikeouts as Marshfield blanked Plymouth North 11-0.—
Kristina Banahan,
Boston Herald,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparked. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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