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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sparked
Something that presents itself this month—a connection, an opportunity, an idea sparked by travel—could be the beginning of that larger transformation.
—
Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
The moment has sparked an outpouring of empathy, with many pointing to the intense pressure drivers face on the job.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
And a series of other attacks on political figures has sparked finger pointing on both sides.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
So came the great idea that sparked Devil Wears Prada 2, which releases in theaters this weekend, 20 years later.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026
Trailing 2-0 in the third, UF sophomore standout Taylor Shumaker sparked the offense with an RBI double — her team-leading 81st hit — to score Gabi Comia.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Those moves have sparked some controversy, most notably with Anthropic.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026
If LLMs have sparked conversations about the consequences of AI on the labor force, agentic systems will catalyze those expected outcomes.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
Performances like that, on the back of signing Gianluigi Donnarumma in the summer, sparked talk of major tactical changes by Guardiola.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
The moment has sparked an outpouring of empathy, with many pointing to the intense pressure drivers face on the job.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
And a series of other attacks on political figures has sparked finger pointing on both sides.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
So came the great idea that sparked Devil Wears Prada 2, which releases in theaters this weekend, 20 years later.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026
Trailing 2-0 in the third, UF sophomore standout Taylor Shumaker sparked the offense with an RBI double — her team-leading 81st hit — to score Gabi Comia.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Those moves have sparked some controversy, most notably with Anthropic.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026
If LLMs have sparked conversations about the consequences of AI on the labor force, agentic systems will catalyze those expected outcomes.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
Performances like that, on the back of signing Gianluigi Donnarumma in the summer, sparked talk of major tactical changes by Guardiola.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparked
Verb
-
Chiney Ogwumike wowed in a two-piece ensemble that shimmered and sparkled in black sequins.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The Skims founder debuted a bold new haircut in a molten gold gown that sparkled from every angle.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The United Nations Development Programme reports that higher energy prices, disrupted food systems, and economic slowdowns triggered by the war could push up to thirty-two million people globally into poverty.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
While the legislature required most involuntary tows from apartments to be triggered by specific complaints, residents said towing companies are continuing to patrol public housing and low-income apartment complexes and tow cars for minor violations.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This allegedly provoked a verbal altercation between Patterson and the two customers.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
-
His capture provoked at least eight highway blockades by criminal groups on the highways surrounding the border city of Reynosa.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At the opening night of the Public Theater's The Merchant of Venice in February 1995, the stars glowed.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Dubbed the largest photographs in the world, the images were 18 feet by 60 feet and, backlit with a mile of tubing, glowed.—
Marcia Greenwood,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Psychological and emotional wounds from early life can be activated anytime − whether while walking through Target, or just before hopping on the phone with a reporter.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
However, the report said the chief did identify himself and had lights activated on his unmarked police car.—
Kerri Corrado,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Behavior that had long been tolerated, if not encouraged, would no longer be accepted.—
Hillary Busis,
Vanity Fair,
26 Apr. 2026
-
This paper editorialized in support of that petition and encouraged the state’s attorney to voluntarily step aside.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Overlooked at Toledo, Alexander flashed during the Senior Bowl practice, where he was named the National Team’s top defensive lineman.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
According to Variety, the film's original script included one scene in which Jackson stared at himself in the mirror, capturing his gaze as police car lights flashed behind him, in 1993, just after the singer was accused of child molestation.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Deborah Courtney drove more than two hours from from Jacksonville and noted that all citizen speakers expressed opposition.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Pete Crow-Armstrong hit his third home run of the season and drove in three runs to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 5-4 win over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday.—
Richard J. Marcus,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sparked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparked. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
