SPARKS Synonyms: 269 Similar and Opposite Words

sparks 1 of 2

verb

Definition of sparks

present tense third-person singular of spark

as in sparkles

to give off sparks the broken radio sparked and smoked the instant it was plugged in

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in triggers

to cause to function interesting questions that are designed to spark the reader's brain

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

sparks

2 of 2

noun

plural of spark

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 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 sparks

Verb

The illusion of molten steel was basically water and mineral oil mixed with a little powdered sugar; creative lighting and heaters placed below the cameras—plus a few CGI sparks in the background—did the rest. — ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026 She's tasked with completing the mercurial master's unfinished works, though Lori and Julian's relationship sparks needed connection and redemption for each. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 But as well as practical reasons, there are emotional ones, with Edinburgh offering a history and charm that sparks creativity. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 But before that fire sparks in our beloved foothills, Coloradans can work to ensure parts of the forests survive, providing for faster recovery and protecting the complex watershed that more than half a million households rely on for drinking water. — Megan Schrader, Denver Post, 27 Aug. 2026 While the Assembly proposal would eliminate bonuses for all a company’s top executives in a year in which its equipment sparks a wildfire, the Senate’s plan only mentions CEOs. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026 The proposal would also require utility CEOs to forfeit bonuses if their company sparks a wildfire resulting in more than $1 billion worth of damage. — Sophie Austin, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 Their move back from the United States sparks questions about security, their formal role — and whether the couple could overshadow the official royal family. — Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026 But what really sparks for me is the connection with the employees and the connection with the customers. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 18 Aug. 2026

Noun

The failure can expose metal from the wheel or other vehicle components, which can scrape against pavement and create sparks or intense heat. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 The scenes that generate the most sparks tend to be those between Murdoch and Lamb, becoming more adversarial when the editor starts operating by his own rules. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 More fireworks throw sparks into the air and the crowd cheers. — Christine Lennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026 The area has been hit by winds that can gust up to 35 miles per hour over the past few days, meaning sparks have been able to spread. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2026 As the plane sped down the runway, air traffic controllers and a witness on the ground noticed sparks coming from near its wheels. — Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 This bold decision has already yielded immediate offensive sparks, demonstrating that strategic flexibility can lead to unexpected and positive results for the team. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Smith was operating equipment, reportedly a chainsaw, that did not comply with fire prevention requirements and was capable of producing sparks, according to Cal Fire. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 He was arrested on suspicion of recklessly causing a fire, after operating equipment capable of producing sparks near wildland fuels. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparks

Verb

Parton turned extravagant blonde wigs, elaborate makeup, high heels, and sparkles into one of the most recognizable looks in entertainment.

— William Arruda, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The pearl-white sand is powdery soft, and the crystal-clear water literally sparkles in the sun.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of sparkles

Verb

Touch guides drone The first tactile contact triggers a change in the drone’s behavior.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
That light exposure triggers the production of chlorophyll in the potato’s skin (the same pigment responsible for turning leaves green).

— Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of triggers

Verb

The rooms were part of Kusama’s ongoing exploration of self-obliteration and her career-long ambition to create work that provokes a keen awareness of both one’s individual insignificance and place in the wider cosmic system.

— Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Now, new research reveals this kind of high-intensity training provokes a remarkably robust response throughout the bloodstream.

— Will Stone, NPR, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of provokes

Noun

Built in a distinctively analog way, the rooms create the illusion of endless space through the use of light, mirrors and splashes of color.

— Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
The company has built a reputation in the investment world for backing companies that have made big splashes, including Uber, Waymo and Discord.

— Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of splashes

Verb

At night, the feathers light up and the whole bird glows across the playa.

— Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
In New York City, Pete Davidson films his new movie Tommy Karate with a new look, while Savannah Guthrie glows in florals for Roger Federer’s exhibition match at the US Open.

— Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of glows

Noun

Peppered amid the challenges for 2025 were glimmers of hope through successes like Weapons ($270 million globally on a $38 million budget), while modestly budgeted reboots Freakier Friday and Final Destination Bloodlines also turned profits.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
In a dystopian world of desperation and war, small glimmers of hope keep society from crumbling completely.

— Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of glimmers

Browse Nearby Words

sparkly

sparks

sparky

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Style

“Sparks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sparks. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of sparks

verb

noun

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