Word
sparking
Phoneticsspark·ing
US/ˈspɑɹkɪŋ/
UK/spˈɑːkɪŋ/
Definition
v. to cause something to start suddenly, especially a feeling, a conversation, or a fight.
v. to trigger or initiate a sudden reaction, process, or emotion. Often used to describe the beginning of something intense or widespread.
Examples
“The new policy is sparking a lot of debate among the staff.”
“The sudden closure of the factory is sparking protests across the city as workers demand fair severance pay.”
“The discovery of the ancient manuscript is sparking renewed interest among historians, who believe it may challenge existing theories about the region's early trade routes.”
Examples
simple
“The new policy is sparking a lot of debate among the staff.”
contextual
“The sudden closure of the factory is sparking protests across the city as workers demand fair severance pay.”
complex
“The discovery of the ancient manuscript is sparking renewed interest among historians, who believe it may challenge existing theories about the region's early trade routes.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and typically takes an abstract noun as its object, such as 'interest', 'controversy', or 'debate'.
Real-World Examples
“But complaints about badly-behaved tourists are sparking debate about overtourism.” “In Zarzis in 2022, at least 18 people died after another migrant boat sank, sparking weeks of protests.” Scan code
englishreference.com/q/sparking