as in dug
to urge or push forward with or as if with a pointed object
gently spurred the horse with his heels
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 spurred
The Homeland Security Department, which oversees immigration law enforcement, has launched a nationwide recruitment campaign for deportation officers, investigators and attorneys, spurred by an influx of more funds from Congress.
—
Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Questions about the president's health were also spurred by new photos showing bruising on his hand.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
And that kind of spurred on the orange juice video.
—Tabitha Parent, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The government says that such disinformation has spurred protests against it.
—CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spurred
Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
Questions about the president's health were also spurred by new photos showing bruising on his hand.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
And that kind of spurred on the orange juice video.
—Tabitha Parent, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The government says that such disinformation has spurred protests against it.
—CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spurred
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurred
Verb
-
They were originally considered too wet to develop, but that was before the Portage Marina basin was dug decades ago, so the flood plain maps are outdated.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
-
With indigenous grapes back in the spotlight, clay jars are being dug again, and bottles are appearing on shelves from Paris to Los Angeles.—
Layne Randolph,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Horne's announcement came just over two weeks after a 16-year-old was fatally stabbed in a classroom in west Phoenix's Maryvale High School.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The son and daughter of one of the victims said their father was stabbed several times after someone broke into his home.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As much as analyst Jessica Reif Erlich prodded, Woodbury declined to give numbers of any sort for Epic post-launch.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
3 Sep. 2025
-
But Voccola said he was prodded into action after the City Commission voted 3-2 in June to postpone the November 2025 election to 2026 without voter approval.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The post, which shared several photos from the outing, also poked fun at the couple getting caught in the rain while meeting with schoolchildren at the museum.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
-
While some people argued that the photo was degrading to women, Carpenter stood by the photo and poked fun at the controversy while sharing alternate album covers.—
Katherine Schaffstall,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Delaney-Rowland told him to put the gun away, but when Parker didn’t, Delaney-Rowland punched him again, then Parker shot him in the back of the head, police said.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Like the clang of bells, the sound bypassed my ears and punched the air from my lungs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The central bank has nudged up its short-term policy rate and scaled back bond-buying operations, all signaling that keeping yields contained will be a tough ask.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The illusion of infinite choice online masks a narrowing of exposure to new ideas — millions scrolling different feeds, but being nudged toward the same few ways of thinking.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In the suburbs during the 2020 and 2022 assessment cycles, appeals to the board of review generally knocked commercial values below industry standards for accuracy.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The boys knocked on Leon’s door several times and ran away, Julián’s cousin told police.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The week’s top movers were propelled by upbeat quarterly surprises, sizable chip agreements, and constructive regulatory developments.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The Yankees' win was propelled by key bullpen innings from Devin Williams and David Bednar and a home run from young slugger Ben Rice.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spurred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurred. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share