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
Part of the vicious cycle of addiction is returning to the same haunts, the same friends, and the same circumstances that spurred the spiral into drug use.
—
Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
The artificial intelligence push prevalent in the region has spurred a significant need for data centers, which require substantial amounts of electricity and other natural resources to operate.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
But just the fact that the movie is getting a theatrical release has spurred celebration on social media, with fans of the genre noting that a rom-com with Black leads had not hit the big screen since 2012’s Think Like a Man.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026
The horrific discovery spurred a wider search on Long Island over the following year – nearly a dozen bodies were found in all – and raised fears of a serial killer on the loose.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spurred
Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
The artificial intelligence push prevalent in the region has spurred a significant need for data centers, which require substantial amounts of electricity and other natural resources to operate.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
But just the fact that the movie is getting a theatrical release has spurred celebration on social media, with fans of the genre noting that a rom-com with Black leads had not hit the big screen since 2012’s Think Like a Man.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 11 Apr. 2026
The horrific discovery spurred a wider search on Long Island over the following year – nearly a dozen bodies were found in all – and raised fears of a serial killer on the loose.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for spurred
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurred
Verb
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Plants grow from bulb-like corms that can be dug and stored over the winter in areas where plants are not winter gardy (Zones 6 and lower).—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2026
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The previous owners had dug a foundation under only half of an addition, leaving a sheltered space that proved irresistible to a denning bear.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Smith lived in Brownsville, less than a mile from where he was stabbed, according to cops.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Activist tied to Oprah, Biden stabbed in ambush, mom slain; suspect nabbed.—
,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There might never have been The Osbournes had Stern not pushed and prodded the deliciously wacky rock star family to bring their story to the airwaves.—
Malina Saval,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2026
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The Gilbert family prodded the authorities to continue searching for Shannan Gilbert, and on December 13, 2011, her remains were found in the Oak Beach marshlands.—
Laura Payne,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Lakers guard reached and poked the ball away.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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The couple poked fun at the social media conversation surrounding them in an Instagram Reel.—
Athena Sobhan,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Reigns punched his way out of the submission hold and put Punk back in the guillotine.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
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One youth later reported being punched and having their necklace damaged after the dispute escalated, per the news release.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
20 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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With limited offseason cap space around the league, Powell might need to work with the Heat on a sign-and-trade deal if he is nudged aside or chooses to move on elsewhere.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
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The other man attempted to walk around the victim to get in the elevator when the victim nudged him with his laundry basket.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That opportunity knocked Monday for Baxley.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
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Utah retook the lead not even two minutes later when Hart found himself out of position and Vegas defenseman Kaeden Korczak knocked the puck into his own net, though it was officially credited to Kevin Stenlund.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurred. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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