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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sparking
The hotter temperatures are sparking changes in precipitation—rainier rains and drier droughts.
—
Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The confrontation is sparking a conversation about theater etiquette.
—Kristie Keleshian, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
The shooting comes amid heightened tensions between federal immigration authorities and Minneapolis officials, after DHS deployed thousands of additional officers to the area in recent days, sparking protests and backlash from city leaders.
—Stepheny Price , Alexandra Koch , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Playing on the name of Judd Apatow’s 2008 film Step Brothers, the pair unveiled the first installment of their series of the same name over a decade ago, sparking a cult-classic run that now spans four installments and multiple deluxe editions.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 8 Jan. 2026
The new reporting comes a day after an ICE agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis on Wednesday, sparking protests and uproar across the country.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2026
Video of the shooting has quickly spread, sparking outrage and protests.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Video shows the moments leading up to the fatal shooting by ICE agents of a 37-year-old woman identified as Renee Good, an American citizen, in Minneapolis that is sparking outrage.
—Maggie Vespa, NBC news, 8 Jan. 2026
Andrew and Ferguson's Christmas there was expected to be their last at Royal Lodge, sparking speculation that their daughters might join them then.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The confrontation is sparking a conversation about theater etiquette.
—Kristie Keleshian, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
The shooting comes amid heightened tensions between federal immigration authorities and Minneapolis officials, after DHS deployed thousands of additional officers to the area in recent days, sparking protests and backlash from city leaders.
—Stepheny Price , Alexandra Koch , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Playing on the name of Judd Apatow’s 2008 film Step Brothers, the pair unveiled the first installment of their series of the same name over a decade ago, sparking a cult-classic run that now spans four installments and multiple deluxe editions.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 8 Jan. 2026
The new reporting comes a day after an ICE agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis on Wednesday, sparking protests and uproar across the country.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2026
Video of the shooting has quickly spread, sparking outrage and protests.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Video shows the moments leading up to the fatal shooting by ICE agents of a 37-year-old woman identified as Renee Good, an American citizen, in Minneapolis that is sparking outrage.
—Maggie Vespa, NBC news, 8 Jan. 2026
Andrew and Ferguson's Christmas there was expected to be their last at Royal Lodge, sparking speculation that their daughters might join them then.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparking
Verb
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Per its Sotheby's auction listing, scrolls of diamonds are interrupted by sparkling floral motifs, while a romantic heart emblem sits at the center.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Turner paired her sleek black mules with a sparkling metallic skirt and top set from Self-Portrait and a long black coat from Fforme.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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If the offset resumed, some taxpayers would see their refunds reduced or eliminated, likely triggering headaches at the IRS, too, even though the IRS does not control offset decisions.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The victims, all elementary school students, got into difficulty in a frozen pond in Bonham, a city about 60 miles northeast of Dallas, triggering a desperate effort by their mother and a neighbor to save them, FOX 4 reported.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Officials’ insistence that citizens who record agents are provoking violent retribution is a justification for what is becoming a very literal war on truth.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
25 Jan. 2026
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In the main event of SmackDown, Trick Williams defeated Damian Priest by DQ after provoking Sami Zayn.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While the shower’s peak rate is a modest 20 meteors per hour, its swift, bright meteors often leave glowing trails.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Myths like the Paulding Light, a mysterious glowing orb that hovers over the train tracks just across the border.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The spring brings a defining moment as Mars (celestial ruler of your career sector) conjuncts Saturn in Aries (April 10), activating your third house of communication and strategy.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
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This new model deeply celebrates the amazing artists of our region while activating our full theatre complex, and inviting audiences to engage with new stories in meaningful ways together.—
Kirby Adams,
Louisville Courier Journal,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety is also encouraging impacted customers to contact them by submitting a complaint online or calling 303-866-4967.—
Austen Erblat,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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Known for encouraging collaboration in a competitive industry, Brotherton was widely regarded as someone who championed other cooks as much as his own success.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Adapting to changing ad spend ByteDance, which owns TikTok and isn’t publicly traded, is driving the industry race in China with the country’s most popular AI app, Doubao, multiple analysts have pointed out.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
25 Jan. 2026
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The 20-year-old California woman driving the sedan was seriously injured, authorities said.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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More than two-thirds believe business investment will be stronger in 2026 than in 2025, likely the result of huge spending on artificial intelligence, but also tax changes stimulating investment.—
Steve Liesman,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Rats housed in stimulating environments filled with toys, running wheels and social interaction developed larger, more complex brains than rats kept in standard cages.—
Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse,
The Conversation,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparking. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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