1
as in sparkles
to give off sparks
the broken radio sparked and smoked the instant it was plugged in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in triggers
to cause to function
interesting questions that are designed to spark the reader's brain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in provokes
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
as in splashes
a very small amount
not a spark of interest in the actress's memoirs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of sparks
Sam Settleman, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Charlie Kirk death sparks shouting match on the House floor.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Continue reading … ON-AIR CLASH – Charlotte train stabbing sparks fiery debate among CNN panel over crime, justice system.
—FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025
This practical, human-first approach sparks intentional upskilling, such as mapping career paths, multidirectional development and offering stretch opportunities aligned to the individual's goals and potential.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
There's usually something that sparks them, but the thing driving my curiosity with this story is different.
—Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 10 Sep. 2025
And the chemistry test was … sparks everywhere.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
In the first lawsuit, the Justice Department blamed the January 7 Eaton Fire on faulty SCE power infrastructure or sparks from that infrastructure, causing the burning of nearly 8,000 acres in Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County.
—CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
When a chance meeting sparks a connection, their bond deepens, and secrets and holiday pressures force them to face what truly matters.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
There, sparks begin to fly, so Belly invites Conrad to come to her birthday dinner that evening.
—Claire Franken, TVLine, 17 Sep. 2025
Ensure tow chains don't drag and cause sparks, which can light a fire along the road’s edge.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The base of the stem features steel wool that is lit on fire prior to drinking, causing sparks to indeed fly.
—Julie Jordan, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
Swift’s drink is served wrapped in steel wool, which the server ignites at the table, causing sparks to fly.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
Star center back Oliver Helmling returns while Ronen Heimlich and Callum Morgan serve as sparks for the offense.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
The alert comes days after the FAA demonstrated for CNN how a thermal runaway in a battery power pack in a seat back pocket could suddenly launch a violent shower of sparks and ignite a fire.
—Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Lithium batteries can pose a fire hazard and are subject to overheating and creating sparks, especially if damaged.
—Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
And Deion sparks a reaction in people no other coach in the sport does.
—Sam Settleman, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Charlie Kirk death sparks shouting match on the House floor.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Continue reading … ON-AIR CLASH – Charlotte train stabbing sparks fiery debate among CNN panel over crime, justice system.
—FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025
This practical, human-first approach sparks intentional upskilling, such as mapping career paths, multidirectional development and offering stretch opportunities aligned to the individual's goals and potential.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
There's usually something that sparks them, but the thing driving my curiosity with this story is different.
—Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 10 Sep. 2025
And the chemistry test was … sparks everywhere.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
In the first lawsuit, the Justice Department blamed the January 7 Eaton Fire on faulty SCE power infrastructure or sparks from that infrastructure, causing the burning of nearly 8,000 acres in Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County.
—CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
When a chance meeting sparks a connection, their bond deepens, and secrets and holiday pressures force them to face what truly matters.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
The ball smashes into the floodlights, and Hobbs sets off on his victory trot, in slow motion, with sparks cascading behind him like fireworks.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
There, sparks begin to fly, so Belly invites Conrad to come to her birthday dinner that evening.
—Claire Franken, TVLine, 17 Sep. 2025
Ensure tow chains don't drag and cause sparks, which can light a fire along the road’s edge.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The base of the stem features steel wool that is lit on fire prior to drinking, causing sparks to indeed fly.
—Julie Jordan, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
Swift’s drink is served wrapped in steel wool, which the server ignites at the table, causing sparks to fly.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
Star center back Oliver Helmling returns while Ronen Heimlich and Callum Morgan serve as sparks for the offense.
—Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
The alert comes days after the FAA demonstrated for CNN how a thermal runaway in a battery power pack in a seat back pocket could suddenly launch a violent shower of sparks and ignite a fire.
—Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Lithium batteries can pose a fire hazard and are subject to overheating and creating sparks, especially if damaged.
—Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparks
Verb
-
The novel sparkles with Sosa’s signature wit and sense of humor; the banter between Javi and Mari is deliciously funny, bursting with laugh-out-loud moments on seemingly every other page.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The place sparkles, even at two-thirds completed, with reconstruction of the east side slated as the next phase.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
When danger nears, the first few birds flap their wings, sending a cascading signal that triggers a collective launch.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
An off-normal reading—say, lubricant temperature creeping up—triggers a work order automatically.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Every action provokes a reaction.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
After a sleepy start to the second half at Old Trafford, the arrival of Benjamin Sesko, and the relocation of Cunha into a deeper position, provokes a fresh wave of interest.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The water-resistant outer material guards your essentials against splashes, while elastic straps and multiple pockets help keep your bottles upright.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Sep. 2025
-
And the American redstart — a jetblack little fellow with orange splashes — pretty much stopped breeding here in the early 2000s.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As the title might suggest, the k-drama A Hundred Memories glows with nostalgia, the nostalgia of an earlier decade and also a time in life when dreams seem possible.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The course glows at night, thanks to a custom LED system that lights up the track.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The system, created by Eshel Wasim and Dharsan Srinivasan, uses AI and sensors to detect when a crash is imminent and activates automatically if the plane is below 3,000 feet.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Neuroscience confirms that a rival’s failure actually activates the ventral striatum, the brain’s pleasure center, rivaling the thrill of a team’s success.—
Richard Menger MD MPA,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This song encourages them to get messy, play, and have fun with this staple activity of the Halloween season.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The backdrop this year is a festive workshop and the set encourages building and creative play.—
Alexander Cox,
Space.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But for the first time since the condition’s initial description in 1906, scientists and clinicians are providing both dementia patients and their family members with glimmers of hope.—
Lauren Gravitz,
Scientific American,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Almost certainly out this week also is injured receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder), who provided most of the scant glimmers of hope in the Super Bowl with eight catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparks. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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