Phrase guide

spark off

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To initiate something by providing the necessary conditions.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • My letter to the newspaper sparked off an investigation into government corruption.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: instigate, provoke, abet, actuate, goose, fuel, light a fire under, send, sting, bring about, cheer, draw, drive, encourage, egg on, engender, evoke, excite, foment, goad, grill, ignite, impel, incite, induce, inflame, invoke, lash, motive, motivate, move, obligate, oblige, push, promote, prompt, rouse, set off, spark off, spur, spur on, stimulate, stir, stir up, stoke, tempt, urge, whet, whip up

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

put in motion or move to act

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • trigger a reaction
  • actuate the circuits

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: trip, actuate, trigger, activate, set off, spark, trigger off, touch off

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: initiate, pioneer

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.