sparking

verb

present participle of spark
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sparking The organization further noted that the showcase created meaningful engagement with the material while sparking conversations around co-production, financing, distribution and international collaboration. — E'ian West, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Doing so could serve the purpose of sparking other suitors into action. — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 28 July 2026 Some eagle-eyed fans are convinced the picture was taken in the Althorp Estate gardens, sparking speculation that it was captured before the Sussexes visited Princess Diana’s grave. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 27 July 2026 Earlier this year, two Americans protesting ICE actions in Minneapolis, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, were killed, sparking a backlash nationwide. — ABC News, 26 July 2026 Animal viruses jump to humans in the wild hundreds of thousands of times a year, usually producing negligible infections, occasionally sparking an outbreak. — CNN Money, 22 July 2026 Advertisement Wangchuk proceeded not to eat for 20 days—a period that ended only after Delhi police hospitalized him against his will, sparking national outcry. — Connor Greene, Time, 22 July 2026 Meanwhile, demand for comfortable and effortless style is sparking interest in low-rise relaxed cuts. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 22 July 2026 The upheaval comes days after the PIC board suspended CEO Patrick Dlamini over a flawed $24 million private equity settlement, sparking internal warfare and board member resignations. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 22 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparking
  1. sparkling
  2. triggering
  3. provoking
  4. glowing
  5. activating
  6. encouraging
  7. driving
  8. stimulating
Verb
  • Zendaya, 29, could then be seen placing her hand — adorned with her sparkling engagement ring — over Holland’s hand before giving the actor, 30, an affectionate squeeze.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
  • Weger holds a pair of sparkling JVB X Nomasei ‘Nono’ loafers.
    — Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of sparkling
Verb
  • Both were booked Wednesday, triggering one-game suspensions that will keep them out of one of the club’s biggest matches of the season.
    — Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
  • Peptides are the building blocks of more complex proteins, triggering hormones inside the body needed for growth, metabolism and healing.
    — Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 23 July 2026
Definition of triggering
Verb
  • As a founder of the San Isidro Movement, Otero Alcántara used performance art to challenge the Cuban government, repeatedly provoking authorities through works involving the national flag, public demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 20 July 2026
  • Chris Young’s Beyond Earth column explores the intersection of space technology and policy, providing thought-provoking commentary on the latest advancements and regulatory developments in the sector.
    — Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026
Definition of provoking
Verb
  • One Friday post, for example, shows footage from Super Heavy of Ship cruising away shortly after stage separation, its six Raptors glowing with exertion against the backdrop of a gorgeously blue Earth.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 27 July 2026
  • Perhaps that’s the biggest compliment for UCLA, going from being ignored or laughed at to taking a few jabs over your glowing reviews.
    — Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of glowing
Verb
  • Erlich’s installations remain incomplete until visitors enter them, activating the works through their own movement, curiosity and participation.
    — Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
  • Stewart grabs the ring activating it, before the car crashes in the canyon below.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 24 July 2026
Definition of activating
Verb
  • Nearly everything Irene does here is monstrous, and yet Corsini never stops encouraging viewers to search for the heartbroken woman suddenly obscured by a wild avatar of self-protection.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
  • Some parent advocacy groups are encouraging families to ask for one anyway.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
Definition of encouraging
Verb
  • His top priorities include driving economic growth, creating well-paying jobs, and expanding opportunities for both union and non-union workers.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
  • Ballout was suspected of driving a van into a crowd near Berlin’s Pride festival Saturday night before apparently stabbing others with a machete in what authorities believe was an Islamic extremist terror attack.
    — Geir Moulson, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
Definition of driving
Verb
  • Indo-Pacific tensions are stimulating defense investment across Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Australia.
    — Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • In one of her final speeches as chancellor, Reeves touted her record on reducing public borrowing and stimulating economic growth.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 July 2026
Definition of stimulating

Browse Nearby Words

sparkily
sparking
sparkle
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Cite this Entry

“Sparking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparking. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of sparking for Spanish Speakers

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