sparking

verb

present participle of spark
1
as in sparkling
to give off sparks the broken radio sparked and smoked the instant it was plugged in

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in triggering
to cause to function interesting questions that are designed to spark the reader's brain

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in provoking
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 sparking Early screening tests suggested thousands of Arkansas third graders were at risk of falling short, sparking alarm among some parents and educators. — Arkansas Online, 19 Aug. 2026 Listening in from a nearby water tower via a wire, Rand realizes Kershaw’s connection to the plot and holds him at gunpoint, sparking a fierce brawl between them. — Max Gao, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026 The quote was leaked to the media, sparking further public ire. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026 Originally self-published in December 2024, the domestic thriller gained a following, building a readership before sparking a highly competitive auction and ultimately selling to Atria Books in a major seven-figure deal in North America. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026 Her departure from Unwell was announced in 2025, sparking speculation about what happened between the two. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026 Marvel has released a list of 15 titles to watch before ‘Doomsday,’ sparking online mockery from MCU fans. — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 That year, Indian soldiers serving the British East India Company rebelled against the British commanding officers, killing many of them and sparking an uprising that spread rapidly across much of northern India. — Aishwarya Lakshmi, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026 Two workers were killed and several others injured after two explosions tore through an industrial recycling facility in Toledo, Ohio, early Tuesday, sparking a massive fire and sending thick, black smoke billowing over the area, officials said. — Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparking
  1. sparkling
  2. triggering
  3. provoking
  4. glowing
  5. activating
  6. encouraging
  7. driving
  8. stimulating
Verb
  • Per its Sotheby’s auction listing, scrolls of diamonds are interrupted by sparkling floral motifs, while a romantic heart emblem sits at the center.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 17 Aug. 2026
  • To make the mocktail, add 1-2 tablespoons of ACV to a glass of still or sparkling water.
    — Jennifer Berger, Verywell Health, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of sparkling
Verb
  • The Treasury’s intervention helped boost risky bets, triggering an upswing in crypto prices.
    — Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Redistricting battle spread to numerous states Missouri’s mid-decade redistricting effort has been among the most litigated nationally, triggering about a dozen lawsuits over the past year.
    — David A. Lieb, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of triggering
Verb
  • Corben has previously clashed with Gabela and Gabela’s wife, Mariela, who have accused Corben of provoking them to get views for his content.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Keitel’s Feraud keeps provoking the feud; Carradine’s D’Hubert recognizes its madness but remains too bound by the same code of honor to walk away.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of provoking
Verb
  • Yet underneath the glowing case studies lies a quiet crisis, which is AI fatigue.
    — Khadim Batti, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Give yourself the treat of waking up with amazing hair and skin with this mulberry silk pillowcase, which has over 10,000 glowing reviews at Amazon.
    — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of glowing
Verb
  • This can be done by activating a population called Q neurons in a region of the hypothalamus.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The researchers produced biochar by carbonizing mixed food waste at 752°F and then activating it with potassium hydroxide at temperatures between 1,112°F and 1,472°F.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of activating
Verb
  • Given no one knows a business like its own people, sharing the most urgent challenges and encouraging new ideas at every level could make a tangible difference to the bottom line, and do away with productivity theater for good.
    — Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Royal insider Rob Shuter reported that Kate is encouraging William to make up with Harry before the move.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of encouraging
Verb
  • Iran’s economy was in a dire state before the war too, with poor economic conditions a key driving factor behind the anti-regime demonstrations which kicked off in the Iranian capital city Tehran in 2025.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The economy is driving young Americans' enlistments, according to Pentagon data.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of driving
Verb
  • Later in life, tretinoin is equally sought after for its ability to improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and discoloration by stimulating skin-cell turnover.
    — Kelsey Stewart, Allure, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Learning new skills, playing word games and having stimulating hobbies like reading or puzzles keeps the mind sharp.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of stimulating

Browse Nearby Words

sparkily
sparking
sparkle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sparking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparking. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on sparking

Nglish: Translation of sparking for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All