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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spurred
But during a public court battle in 2021, in part spurred by an online #FreeBritney movement, Spears asked a judge to release her from the conservatorship.
—
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
The parties and incidents that spurred the charges took place from June 1, 2020, to May 3, 2021, according to the criminal complaint.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Dozens of cases spurred by predator catchers are now making their way through the court system, and many of them are succeeding.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
Cush said his decision to email the community about the misinformation was not spurred by any one person or a group but to address the concerns administrators were hearing.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spurred
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2026
The parties and incidents that spurred the charges took place from June 1, 2020, to May 3, 2021, according to the criminal complaint.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Dozens of cases spurred by predator catchers are now making their way through the court system, and many of them are succeeding.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
Cush said his decision to email the community about the misinformation was not spurred by any one person or a group but to address the concerns administrators were hearing.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spurred
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurred
Verb
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While sticking a broom through the rubble to mark his location, Wehrle waited as the three men dug him out.—
Rebecca Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
His teammates dug him, and vice versa.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Sanchez's 12-year-old son, Marcus Figueroa, was stabbed 25 times and feigned death in order to survive.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
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Ricks also stabbed Sanchez’s other son, 12-year-old Marcus Figueroa.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 12,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The reason for excitement in this case is a group of young guys who are maturing and learning how to be consistent winners, prodded by a coach who won three Stanley Cup championships in Chicago and has demonstrated a knack for turning young teams into contenders.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
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Rajner has prodded lawmakers to act while also accusing DOH of illegally diverting money from ADAP without adequately notifying the public of the implications of the severe cutbacks.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But researchers who studied crocodiles at an outdoor recreation center near Cape Town appear to have poked a hole in that approach.—
Regina G. Barber,
NPR,
9 Mar. 2026
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Flick’s team persisted after the break, pressing high and eventually finding a third goal when Bernal poked home from a Joao Cancelo cross.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors said, on Friday, Marshall punched her 11-year-old son in the face, giving him a bloody nose, and poured dish soap down his mouth and into his ear.—
Shardaa Gray,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Here’s a look at the dates and sites for each conference tournament and the winners that have punched their tickets to March Madness.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Trump, though never restrained, is now pure id, acting on impulse and goaded on by advisers who see an opportunity to further expand executive power.—
Jonathan Lemire,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
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Her ups and downs were a regular punch line on late-night talk shows, starting with her first appearance on The Tonight Show in 1985, when she was goaded into agreeing to lose 15 lbs.—
Eileen Finan,
PEOPLE,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Much weakened, Iran might be nudged to engage in dialogue to avoid further loss in the war.—
Debidatta A. Mahapatra,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
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Many are concerned that there is insufficient understanding of how to ensure it cannot be misused by bad actors or nudged to go rogue.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The lobbyists, Staples said, had the debate wrapped up tight long before the farmers even knocked the dirt off their boots and entered Congress.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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Police said the crash knocked both the operator and his passenger off the e-scooter.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurred. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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