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
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Recent Examples of sparks
FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Born blind and hungry for connection, his early obsession with the telephone sparks a subculture that shapes the future of hacking and modern technology.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026
His move to starting lineup over holidays coincides with a surge that sparks the Bulldogs to a 13-1 record in 2026.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
When the fair ended, the Hansens began bringing leftover lobster to the deli for short-run lobster roll drops — a now‑annual phenomenon (except in 2025) that sparks lines down the sidewalk.
—Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 3 Feb. 2026
Their collaboration sparks unlikely friendships and sets off consequences none had anticipated.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2026
Regular communication to senior leadership sets expectations and builds the case for continued investment; communication across the company generates future initiatives, builds grassroots support and sparks a healthy degree of FOMO.
—Jennifer Belissent, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Everything from adults-only zones on planes to child-free weddings sparks controversy online.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 28 Jan. 2026
Over the course of minutes or hours, this arc can grow and move until a substorm sparks; that’s when the lights are at their boldest and most saturated.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 27 Jan. 2026
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Use a sturdy fireplace glass, screen, or other similar barrier to prevent sparks.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
The goal is to prevent sparks that might turn into wildfire.
—Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 6 Feb. 2026
Bones Hyland has shown sparks offensively, but is a liability on the defensive end.
—Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, her mother Delores (Barbara Niven) turns the costume contest into a personal triumph while navigating a budding romance with Sheriff Ealing, and Hannah’s own relationship with Chad (Victor Webster) adds unexpected sparks.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Viewers may see the early sparks of a Francesca-Michaela relationship soon.
—Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
Because this eclipse squares Uranus, sparks can fly unexpectedly.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
Pedro Pizarro, chief executive of Edison International, the utility’s parent company, has said that a leading theory is that a century-old, dormant transmission line in Eaton Canyon briefly became energized that night, causing sparks that ignited the fire.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
Continue reading … 'VILE' — Dem Rep's 'total meltdown' in heated hearing with ICE director sparks viral outrage.
—FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Born blind and hungry for connection, his early obsession with the telephone sparks a subculture that shapes the future of hacking and modern technology.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026
His move to starting lineup over holidays coincides with a surge that sparks the Bulldogs to a 13-1 record in 2026.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
When the fair ended, the Hansens began bringing leftover lobster to the deli for short-run lobster roll drops — a now‑annual phenomenon (except in 2025) that sparks lines down the sidewalk.
—Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 3 Feb. 2026
Their collaboration sparks unlikely friendships and sets off consequences none had anticipated.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2026
Regular communication to senior leadership sets expectations and builds the case for continued investment; communication across the company generates future initiatives, builds grassroots support and sparks a healthy degree of FOMO.
—Jennifer Belissent, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Everything from adults-only zones on planes to child-free weddings sparks controversy online.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 28 Jan. 2026
Over the course of minutes or hours, this arc can grow and move until a substorm sparks; that’s when the lights are at their boldest and most saturated.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
Toward the end of the set, a cluster of electrical poles emitted showers of sparks and went dark.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Use a sturdy fireplace glass, screen, or other similar barrier to prevent sparks.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 6 Feb. 2026
The goal is to prevent sparks that might turn into wildfire.
—Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 6 Feb. 2026
Bones Hyland has shown sparks offensively, but is a liability on the defensive end.
—Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, her mother Delores (Barbara Niven) turns the costume contest into a personal triumph while navigating a budding romance with Sheriff Ealing, and Hannah’s own relationship with Chad (Victor Webster) adds unexpected sparks.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Viewers may see the early sparks of a Francesca-Michaela relationship soon.
—Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
Because this eclipse squares Uranus, sparks can fly unexpectedly.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Jan. 2026
Pedro Pizarro, chief executive of Edison International, the utility’s parent company, has said that a leading theory is that a century-old, dormant transmission line in Eaton Canyon briefly became energized that night, causing sparks that ignited the fire.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparks
Verb
-
The natural grass field sparkles with lush green and football lines painted onto the surface.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
One of the most magical ways to experience the Eiffel Tower doesn't require a ticket; simply watch the nightly illuminations, when the landmark sparkles for five minutes every hour, on the hour.—
Todd Plummer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Using solar energy, the device triggers evaporation to draw lithium inward, while its unique 30-degree tilt manages waste.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
-
With persistent slabs, the first few travelers may pass without incident, only to hit a weak spot later that triggers a full release.—
Callie Zanandrie,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The aroma of coffee brewing reliably provokes desire.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Deadline can reveal the first trailer for the radical love story revolving around Suzanne and undocumented migrant Osmane, whose relationship provokes a wave of anger and indignation all around them, forcing them to resist.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The stone mat wraps around the faucet and acts as a splash guard, absorbing splashes and spills around the area.—
Jamie Weissman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The look incorporates Jackson Pollock-esque splashes of orange and royal blue, a departure from last season’s navy-and-white color palette.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Each packs several pieces of shrimp in a thick, chewy wheat-starch wrapper that glows almost silvery under the light.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The bill was able to move forward after Castillo agreed to a carve-out for GloFish, a type of fish that glows due to the insertion of Green Flourescent Protein (GFP) into its DNA.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When damage occurs, whether as a crack, fracture, or microscopic defect, the material senses the disruption and activates an internal repair response.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Sanders’ go-to exercise activates muscles in your core and hips to help prevent the above inefficiencies.—
Sarah Klein,
Outside,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The evening was more about the vibe; Gelman encourages all guests to dress up in fancy cocktail attire.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Perhaps that’s because, unlike other reality dating TV shows like The Bachelor and Love Island, the series encourages frank conversations about politics and social issues that mirror dating in the modern age.—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In non-theme park play, the game revolves around Illumineers, glimmers, inklands, a lorebook and other buzzwords and actions that are important to players.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Jan. 2026
-
There’s still a long way to go to restore his status as a promising prospect, but there have been glimmers of hope the last couple weeks.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparks. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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