1
as in to sparkle
to give off sparks
the broken radio sparked and smoked the instant it was plugged in
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2
as in to trigger
to cause to function
interesting questions that are designed to spark the reader's brain
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3
as in to provoke
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
as in glimmer
a very small amount
not a spark of interest in the actress's memoirs
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spark
Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 14 Feb. 2025
And Chiara’s cross-dressing sparks an homage to Marcello’s most romantic film, Visconti’s White Nights, this time rescuing a suicidal gay soldier.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Feb. 2025
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2025
Earlier this week, a new lawsuit alleged that an idle transmission tower on the hillside — one that has not been in use for more than 50 years — might have been the spark of the devastating blaze.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for spark 
Verb
Both practices recharge my energy, spark valuable insights and keep me in a positive frame of mind.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 14 Feb. 2025
And Chiara’s cross-dressing sparks an homage to Marcello’s most romantic film, Visconti’s White Nights, this time rescuing a suicidal gay soldier.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
The sophomore guard instantly gave the team a spark, hitting layups on back-to-back possessions to kick off a 6-0 run, and a stifling team defensive effort helped hold the Lady Vols scoreless for nearly three minutes.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2025
Earlier this week, a new lawsuit alleged that an idle transmission tower on the hillside — one that has not been in use for more than 50 years — might have been the spark of the devastating blaze.
—Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for spark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spark
Verb
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An expert shares simple tips to enhance your appliance and achieve sparkling dishes after every load.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Feb. 2025
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The royal wore a pair of sparkling silver stud earrings.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The flurry of changes triggered by the directive has led to the erasure of articles featuring NASA astronomers from underrepresented communities that the agency published in years past, like this one.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2025
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Trump's executive actions — many of which have direct links to Project 2025 — have already had far-reaching impacts, triggering a rapid shakeup of the federal bureaucracy.—
Avery Lotz,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But the bigger picture here is that media, entertainment and tech companies are facing a pivotal moment in the second Trump era, and many are choosing to try to placate the new administration rather than provoke more ire.—
Ryan Faughnder,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2025
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The new policies have created fears in the immigrant communities across the U.S., and provoked criticism from regional leaders who have long criticized the U.S. for sending back migrants, especially those accused of committing crimes in the U.S.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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There’s one hopeful glimmer on the horizon: slim phones.—
Allison Johnson,
The Verge,
21 Jan. 2025
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Now, after years in which the situation in Syria seemed to have become stagnant, the fall of the regime, for Syrians displaced in Turkey, offered a glimmer of hope amid a precarious existence marked by everyday humiliation and occasional violence in the country of their refuge.—
Alia Malek,
New York Times,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Their phrases, complex yet seemingly effortless, often direct our vision beyond their bodies to others or to the light glowing behind them, as if in reverence of the Amazonian waters and wonders, ever in need of preservation.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2025
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Look at it full and glowing through the window (on All Hallows’ Eve, no less!), and the night so beautifully full of screaming.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The referral agent is also voice activated and calls patients to connect them with the right specialists.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2025
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When their neurons were activated by the light, the mice ate much smaller meals.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Provide opportunities for professional growth, encourage open feedback, and show appreciation for hard work.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr.,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
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Gaga recently updated her website to include a cryptic game, where users are encouraged to click and drag across a sea of floating letters to reveal short sentences, which fans believe to be lyrics off her forthcoming album.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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And despite seeing a huge chunk of their local television revenue disappear, the Diamondbacks made a massive, unexpected splash with a contract that narrowly surpasses Zack Greinke’s six-year, $206.5 million deal from 2016 as the largest in team history.—
Tim Britton,
The Athletic,
5 Feb. 2025
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On one hand, nobody in the division has made any big offseason splashes.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
2 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near spark
Cite this Entry
“Spark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spark. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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