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
Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 12 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
Moreover, with your celestial ruler, Uranus, also retrograde in your fifth house of love, spontaneity and unpredictability reign — this could manifest in a sudden crush, a flirtatious encounter or insane sparks with someone who is the complete opposite of your type.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
And the sparks are already here.
—Eric Chastain, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
Even sparks or embers carried by the wind can ignite nearby leaves or grass, triggering a fire that spreads rapidly.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
According to the filing, a sagging power line in Hemet, California, operated by Edison came into contact with a Frontier Communications messenger cable, which created sparks and ignited the vegetation below.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
And that's thanks in no small part to the fact that Weatherly and de Pablo can still fire up the old sparks anytime they are required.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 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
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
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
Moreover, with your celestial ruler, Uranus, also retrograde in your fifth house of love, spontaneity and unpredictability reign — this could manifest in a sudden crush, a flirtatious encounter or insane sparks with someone who is the complete opposite of your type.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
And the sparks are already here.
—Eric Chastain, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
Even sparks or embers carried by the wind can ignite nearby leaves or grass, triggering a fire that spreads rapidly.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
According to the filing, a sagging power line in Hemet, California, operated by Edison came into contact with a Frontier Communications messenger cable, which created sparks and ignited the vegetation below.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
And that's thanks in no small part to the fact that Weatherly and de Pablo can still fire up the old sparks anytime they are required.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 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
-
Asking for headcount often triggers a budget reflex.—
Sarah Chambers,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Although the shooting causes alarm and triggers police investigations, Serafina initially escapes direct consequences by going into hiding.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
10 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
-
Its central glass dome—home to the swimming paradise—glows like a lantern at dusk.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
At the absolute highest energies, the Moon glows with a light all its own, powered by nuclear recoils, and irrespective of any light, or anything at all, emitted by the Sun.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
4 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
-
Combined, the ingredients are a powerhouse that encourages surface skin cell turnover to give complexions an overall smooth, supple appearance.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Through speculative thinking and the power of the arts, this collection encourages us to see ourselves outside of the constraints that persist today.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
There were glimmers of the magnificent past at the 2024 French Open against Iga Swiatek when Osaka won the second set 6-1 and was within a point of going 5-1 up in the decider.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sparks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparks. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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