a spark of anger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a spark of anger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden or brief feeling of anger that arises in a situation. Example: "When he heard the unfair accusation, a spark of anger ignited within him, prompting him to speak up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

General Interest

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Maybe a spark of anger was what the US needed, and they finally had their first shot on target in the 59th minute.

The Guardian - Sport

And there's still a spark of anger there.

Vice

With a spark of anger, he registered that the huge shirt featured the airbrushed face of Kobe Bryant.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I cannot claim to have had more than a fleeting glimpse of her, but it was enough to make me sense that beneath her pose of languid unconcern there burned a spark of real anger.

The Guardian

He's puffy-looking and blockish and he doesn't have a spark in him, not even a flicker of anger at the strange ability that is destroying George's life.

The New Yorker

Some of these protests highlighted the opportunistic nature of much of the turmoil, using the spark of anger ignited by the video to trot out grievances that were not even related to it.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, a spark of admiration has long been buried within Iranians' anger, as it was in many other places across the British Empire.

The New York Times

And Ana Gasteyer, as Berger's wife, strikes simultaneous sparks of anger and contentment; she makes their long-term commitment utterly believable.

The New York Times

managed to spark a hint of anger from Comey by bringing up the Tony-winning dance moves in the Broadway show "Hamilton" to insinuate that the FBI and Department of Justice had coordinated the decision.

Huffington Post

"Last Men in Aleppo" is unbearable to watch, in the most admirable sense — it films atrocities, and courageous efforts to cope with them, and sparks a sense of anger and frustration that's nearly unendurable.

The New Yorker

But it is the collection of that data without anything in return that has sparked a lot of anger in those who've bought and supported the use of Scout.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a spark of anger" to describe a brief, sudden feeling of anger, often as a reaction to something specific. It's useful for conveying a quickly arising but not necessarily long-lasting emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "a spark of anger" to describe sustained or intense anger. This phrase implies a fleeting emotion, so a stronger term like "wave of anger" or "deep resentment" is more appropriate for prolonged feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a spark of anger" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It describes a specific emotional state. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

General Interest

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a spark of anger" is a noun phrase used to describe a sudden, brief onset of anger. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for written English. Although relatively rare in usage, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, it's important to ensure it accurately reflects a fleeting emotion rather than sustained anger; alternatives like "a flicker of anger" or "a flash of anger" can offer similar, nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a flash of temper

Conveys a sudden, brief outburst of anger.

a flicker of resentment

Changes the intensity to a milder form of negative feeling.

a surge of indignation

Indicates a more forceful and righteous anger.

a wave of fury

Expresses a stronger, more overwhelming anger.

a moment of rage

Implies an intense, uncontrolled anger.

a hint of irritation

Represents a much weaker level of annoyance.

an inkling of outrage

Suggests a beginning or slight feeling of strong indignation.

a touch of animosity

Suggests a slight, often hidden, hostility.

a feeling of annoyance

A general sense of being bothered or irritated.

a glimmer of displeasure

A subtle expression of dissatisfaction.

FAQs

How can I use "a spark of anger" in a sentence?

You can use "a spark of anger" to describe a sudden, brief feeling of anger, for example, "A spark of anger flashed in her eyes when she heard the accusation".

What are some alternatives to "a spark of anger"?

Alternatives include "a flicker of anger", "a flash of anger", or "a hint of anger", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a spark of anger" or "sparks of anger"?

"A spark of anger" refers to a single, brief instance of anger. "Sparks of anger" would describe multiple instances or expressions of anger.

What is the difference between "a spark of anger" and "a wave of anger"?

"A spark of anger" describes a sudden, brief feeling, while "a wave of anger" suggests a more intense and overwhelming feeling.