1
2
as in triggered
to cause to function
interesting questions that are designed to spark the reader's brain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in provoked
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
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Recent Examples of sparked
And the bottom of the order once more sparked the way in what became a 13-9 victory over Minnesota on Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium.
—
Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
Data centers have sparked backlash from communities across the state that are worried about higher utility bills, strained power grids and water being diverted away from families to cool servers at massive data centers.
—Brendan Steinhauser, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
The order sparked lawsuits that have blocked the motion from taking effect and have now reached the highest court less than 15 months later.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026
Noem’s warehouse plan sparked fierce community opposition over fears of ICE facilities straining local infrastructure and the moral implications of detention centers.
—Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The unusual survival of the snack soon sparked reactions online, with many commentators joking about the resilience of the popular cheese puffs.
—Claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
The latest failure, following a penalty-shootout loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina, has sparked another bout of introspection for the national sport.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Contrary to expectations in Washington and Jerusalem, the war has not sparked a popular uprising.
—Kazem Kazerounian, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026
The grand jury was sparked by reporting by the Lakeland Ledger.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026
Data centers have sparked backlash from communities across the state that are worried about higher utility bills, strained power grids and water being diverted away from families to cool servers at massive data centers.
—Brendan Steinhauser, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
The order sparked lawsuits that have blocked the motion from taking effect and have now reached the highest court less than 15 months later.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026
Noem’s warehouse plan sparked fierce community opposition over fears of ICE facilities straining local infrastructure and the moral implications of detention centers.
—Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The unusual survival of the snack soon sparked reactions online, with many commentators joking about the resilience of the popular cheese puffs.
—Claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
The latest failure, following a penalty-shootout loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina, has sparked another bout of introspection for the national sport.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Contrary to expectations in Washington and Jerusalem, the war has not sparked a popular uprising.
—Kazem Kazerounian, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026
The grand jury was sparked by reporting by the Lakeland Ledger.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparked
Verb
-
The Skims founder debuted a bold new haircut in a molten gold gown that sparkled from every angle.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Kendall Jenner sparkled in a baby blue Chanel corset gown, which was embroidered with sequins.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Matches without goals triggered texts to Garden requesting immediate Wyscout Zoom sessions.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
After six days of marching under the barrel of an assault rifle, Caldwell triggered his group’s escape by pushing one of their captors off a cliff.—
Namir Khaliq,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the bill and others like it have provoked a series of constitutional concerns.—
Miguel Torres,
AZCentral.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Solomon Islands is one of China's closest partners in the region having struck a security agreement – the details have not been made public – with Beijing in 2022 after switching recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019, an act that provoked rioting in the capital, Honiara, in 2021.—
Didi Kirsten Tatlow,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tournament logos glowed on the massive video boards mounted on either side of the building, a constant reminder that a new phase of the season has begun.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
21 Mar. 2026
-
So Prairie View drifted into the night, and Tampa glowed for the Gators.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Like a grill, when activated by an operator, the drone stations open a lid.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The woman, whom Newtown referred to only as Jessica to protect her privacy, activated her personal locator beacon.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Some players encouraged the 49ers to investigate, but Lynch noted that it was not broached by anyone who joined the team in the past few weeks since free agency opened, including wide receiver Mike Evans.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Students should be encouraged to think historically, Zavala said, and to approach larger themes of colonization, erasure, power and to reflect on the way movements are shaped and the contradictions that occur within them.—
Kristy Hutchings,
Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While Judge and Stanton exhibited premium power, Schlittler flashed premium stuff.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
But Ware has had an up and down second NBA season that has flashed his intriguing potential as a three-and-D 7-footer at times and also has had Spoelstra publicly calling him out and challenging him other times.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nico Hoerner, batting leadoff for the first time this season, was 3-for-5 with two doubles while Matt Shaw had two hits and drove in two runs for the Cubs (3-3).—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
After tracking down the address, Sanchez and her daughter drove to the 3-bedroom house on Eureka Drive and extracted Cesar.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparked. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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