spark 1 of 2

verb

Definition of sparknext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

spark

2 of 2

noun

ˈspärk How to pronounce spark (audio)
as in glimmer
a very small amount not a spark of interest in the actress's memoirs

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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 spark
Verb
Record-breaking rain in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, has killed at least eight people and sparked widespread power outages and travel disruptions, according to Japanese media reports. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026 Last month’s vote by a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel to ease peptide accessibility restrictions has sparked debate over the safety of this unproven class of therapeutics. — Lyndon Haviland, Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
Hydrogen is injected into the cylinders at much lower pressure and temperature than in a diesel engine, and a spark causes ignition. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026 Authorities’ top priority was to prevent even a single spark that could lead to a fire, as happened in Ávila in late July. — Suman Naishadham, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spark
  1. sparkle
  2. trigger
  3. provoke
  4. glimmer
  5. glow
  6. activate
  7. encourage
  8. splash
Verb
  • At first spritz, you’re instantly enchanted and uplifted by sparkling, tart notes of pomelo and yuzu.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Enter Nature’s Organic, which was launched in Fremont in 2017, later expanded to Sunnyvale and has recently opened a bright, sparkling new shop on the avenue in downtown Campbell.
    — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of sparkle
Verb
  • In 2024, Kim divorced her husband, Vladislav Bakalchuk, triggering a fight for control of the company.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The protests first began in April, triggered by the death of former Chinese Communist Party leader Hu Yaobang at the age of 73.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of trigger
Verb
  • These groups that are coming here are coming for one reason, and that is to provoke a reaction and generate attention.
    — Heath Kalb, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The sources added that the relationship breakdown also provoked serious concerns about the wellbeing of the senior colleague.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of provoke
Noun
  • But Johnson offered a glimmer of hope in his explanation about the looming suspension.
    — Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • About a week and a half into her care, she was moved out of the intensive care unit, offering a glimmer of hope.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of glimmer
Verb
  • Matalyn Chitwood graduated from Spring Hill High School in 2023 with a glowing report card.
    — Julianna Mejia, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
  • When entertaining, the formal dining room—glowing in gold—can seat up to 20 at a custom Brazilian onyx table.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of glow
Verb
  • Marrelli can activate off the blue line, create off the rush, has a good point shot and shows instincts to hit seams as well.
    — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The sirens were accidentally activated by DuPage Public Safety Communications.
    — Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of activate
Verb
  • Separating students from those pressures for several hours could encourage face-to-face conversation and give overwhelmed teenagers a genuine break.
    — Kavin Bendre, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Protecting elections and encouraging thoughtful voting is imperative to retake control of our government.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of encourage
Noun
  • Signing Imai this winter represented a splash for a franchise that is reluctant to spend in free agency while signaling its advancement into the Pacific Rim.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • As a result, the phone is only IP55 rated—safe from splashes but not full submersion.
    — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of splash

Browse Nearby Words

sparingly
spark
sparked
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Cite this Entry

“Spark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spark. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spark

Nglish: Translation of spark for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spark

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