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
Blanche’s temporary appointment and Zeldin’s potential nomination have spurred more questions about the politicization of the DOJ.
—
Jennifer Selin, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Energy price shocks spurred by the war in Iran are also adding to the pressure, sending the average price for a gallon of gasoline above $4, according to AAA.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 3 Apr. 2026
Landmark inventions like the printing press, steam engine, telephone, incandescent light bulb, and airplane heralded new stages of progress in technology and spurred further innovation.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
But the law has spurred a bottleneck for affordable housing.
—Charlotte Kramon, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spurred
Jennifer Selin, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Energy price shocks spurred by the war in Iran are also adding to the pressure, sending the average price for a gallon of gasoline above $4, according to AAA.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 3 Apr. 2026
Landmark inventions like the printing press, steam engine, telephone, incandescent light bulb, and airplane heralded new stages of progress in technology and spurred further innovation.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
But the law has spurred a bottleneck for affordable housing.
—Charlotte Kramon, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spurred
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurred
Verb
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To stabilize the suspension system, tunnel anchors (deep chambers in the rock to secure the main cables) were dug about 310 feet (94 meters) deep for each bridge tower.—
Aman Kumar,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 Apr. 2026
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That special fastball dug him out of Tuesday night’s jam.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Initial reports indicated that the teenager had been stabbed during a fight near Bess Race Elementary School and had non-life threatening injuries.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
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Roughly four minutes later, Brown allegedly pulled a knife from his pocket and stabbed her three times from behind before departing the train.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Learning cannot be condensed into an accelerated course, shoehorned into a semester calendar, rushed and prodded along.—
Peter Wayne Moe,
Longreads,
26 Mar. 2026
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Some sob when prodded by a fork, others are straight up devoured.—
Joe Wilkins Published Mar 12,
Futurism,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Wrencher said Russell once tied her to a chair, poked her with a knife, and threatened to burn the house down, the son said.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
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Both characteristics were on full display when Drasner hit the local airwaves with a television commercial that promoted The News and poked fun at one of its upstart rivals.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The pair were arguing when the passenger punched the victim in the face, splitting his lip, cops said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
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Until Levee, punched once too often, punches back.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The czar, goaded by his military advisors, mobilized the Russian army knowing that meant war.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2026
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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
Verb
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On Sunday, stops were hard to come by with Flagg scoring almost at will (14 for 27 from the field, 15 for 17 at the free-throw line), and the Lakers’ responses never nudged the needle in their favor.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
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Juvenile whales gently nudged the calf and kept it close to the mother.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Viktoria Koskenoja, an emergency medicine physician, knocked on the door then greeted her warmly, pulling up a stool across from her.—
Kate Wells,
NPR,
8 Apr. 2026
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With Carolina winning the puck battles down low, Jordan Martinook knocked the puck off Geekie’s stick, fed William Carrier for a goal on which the B’s needed a stop.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurred. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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