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
Threats to ‘throat punch’ staffers This spring, the county released the findings of two personnel investigations into Curtis’ conduct that were spurred by concerns raised by elections employees and their union representatives.
—
Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
The company’s interest was spurred by Illumix’s work in scaling its mapping technology and building it out for real-world experiences.
—Corbin Bolies, Variety, 4 June 2026
That project spurred community action to change the statistics and the narrative, work that continues today.
—Steve Coffman
june 4, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2026
Nowak's death has triggered debates about policing and knife crime and has spurred claims by far-right activists and politicians that there is bias against white people in the justice system.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for spurred
Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
The company’s interest was spurred by Illumix’s work in scaling its mapping technology and building it out for real-world experiences.
—Corbin Bolies, Variety, 4 June 2026
That project spurred community action to change the statistics and the narrative, work that continues today.
—Steve Coffman
june 4, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2026
Nowak's death has triggered debates about policing and knife crime and has spurred claims by far-right activists and politicians that there is bias against white people in the justice system.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for spurred
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurred
Verb
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Some villagers sat in the shade of towering fig trees, while others planted yams or dug the soil with tree branches.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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Although not as wealthy as Jackson, Jones has also dug deep into his own pockets to keep his campaign afloat, lending it more than $16 million from his family’s fortune.—
Shannon McCaffrey,
AJC.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
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The affidavit alleges that after Austin touched Anthony and attempted to physically move him, Anthony pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the chest.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
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Some of those include defendants facing serious charges, like Javonte Robinson, who in November allegedly stabbed a man to death in Boston after his charges for possession of a dangerous weapon were dismissed under the protocol in October.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Some lawmakers openly prodded Netanyahu on Monday to move closer to the US by seeking to bolster negotiations on winding down the war.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
8 June 2026
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The dynamic has prodded PG&E to ramp up efforts to upgrade and expand its electrical system in the South Bay and elsewhere.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Her long-term partner, Rich Paul, recently poked fun at his lady love's musical prowess while being interviewed on the Glass Half Full with Craig Melvin podcast.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
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The 14-day relative strength index has also just poked above the 50 level for the first time since late February.—
Frank Cappelleri,
CNBC,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Among those arrested was a woman who allegedly punched a police officer.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
9 June 2026
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Emily Dunn then responded with a goal for Walpole, but Duxbury punched right back via the stick of Emma Prouty.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Anthony provoked and goaded Metcalf, Wirskye said.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2026
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In the ensuing chaos, one of those two young men takes the stage, goaded on by his friend, and soon has the audience dancing to his melodies and words.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
22 May 2026
Verb
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The complex may actually have aggravated the city’s housing woes, since its presence has reportedly nudged up rents and attracted real-estate speculators.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
4 June 2026
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Since 1851, the Charles Street Jail was an eyesore in Boston nudged between Massachusetts General Hospital, the Charles River, and the charming streets of Beacon Hill.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Robinson responded with a forearm to Wembanyama’s neck that either knocked him to the ground or gave sufficient cover for a flop.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
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Last September, a fire at a South Korean data center knocked 647 government services offline.—
Leonard Lim,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurred. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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