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Glite Dictionary
to spark debate

to spark debate

2 3.7
To make people start talking and disagree about a topic
  • phrasal verb
  • /spɑrk dɪˈbeɪt/
translation icon : desencadenar un debate
  • Now in its 23rd year, the 2012 Human Rights Watch Film Festival presents films designed to inspire, inform, and spark debate.

Examples

  • My intent is to spark debate on what survey results really say about EE inservice education.

    Academic text (1996)

  • The nature of some blogs is to spark debate.

    Blog text (1)

  • The desirability of regulating firearms continues to spark debate at the national level in the United States.

    Academic text (2017)

  • Lee's motion sparked debate because some board members wanted to take more time to digest the information provided by Honeywell.

    Blog text (8)

  • We look forward to sparking debate and encouraging both critical reflection and activism with this round of provocative films.

    Blog text (1)

  • Manning Up is a funny, delightful play, one that will certainly spark debate and conversations about manliness and parenthood as it receives more and more productions.

    Blog text (31)

  • The leak of a video featuring former Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA) has sparked debate about government dependency and the number of people in the United States who do not pay federal income tax.

    Blog text (5)

  • The controversial documentary is likely to spark debate about historical facts.

  • His proposal to change the curriculum could spark debate among educators and parents.

  • This new legislation is expected to spark debate regarding privacy rights and security measures.

Synonyms

to stir the pot
vsto spark debate
  • Informal
8 8.0

To cause trouble by saying things to make people argue

starts discussion but not necessarily with deliberate provocation
to cause a stir
vsto spark debate
6 4.0

Make people feel excited or upset and attract attention

begins discussion specifically, rather than merely attracting attention
to spark a debate
vsto spark debate
1 3.7

To cause people to start a strong, lively discussion

is used to start discussion more generally rather than only intense talks
to spark heated debate
vsto spark debate
1 5.4

Cause strong arguments about a topic, often on public issues

triggers discussion but focuses on stronger emotional intensity
to detonate controversy
vsto spark debate
8.1

To cause a strong public argument that divides people

creates discussion but with less sense of broad public conflict
to drop the McNuke
vsto spark debate
  • Slang
9.9

Suddenly bring up a shocking topic to change the tone of a discussion

causes discussion without the sudden dramatic shock element
to open a hornets' nest
vsto spark debate
  • Informal
7.7

To cause a lot of trouble and anger among people

causes discussion but often suggests causing trouble beyond talking

Antonyms

to settle
596 3.3

To end an argument by agreement or decision

How Intense

to spark debate
2 3.7
mention
220 2.5

Surface Forms

spark debate infinitive
sparked debate past
sparked debate past participle
sparking debate present participle
sparks debate third person singular

Morphology

spark + debate

The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'spark' (to trigger or provoke) with 'debate' (a discussion), so a learner who knows both words can infer it means to cause a discussion to begin. The verb+noun compositional pattern and the common metaphor of 'spark' as initiating something are widely used and thus readily understandable to a B1 learner.

Etymology

The verb spark debate comes from the idea of a small spark from a fire that can start a much larger fire. Just like that, a short comment can start a big debate, so spark debate means 'to cause a discussion or argument to begin'.