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
Much of the prevailing sentiment has been spurred by years of growing frustration with current measurement of TV audiences.
—
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 May 2026
The first new attractions in the expansion, which was spurred by rapid growth in the Treasure Valley, opened in 2023, the Statesman previously reported.
—Rose Evans
updated May 8, Idaho Statesman, 8 May 2026
The release marks the latest chapter amid a resurgent public interest in UFOs, which has been spurred by a number of high-profile Congressional hearings in recent years on the topic.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Alex and Lizzy drove around DC and sat down with six former FDA officials to discuss their love for the agency — and why months of turmoil ultimately spurred their exits.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for spurred
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 May 2026
The first new attractions in the expansion, which was spurred by rapid growth in the Treasure Valley, opened in 2023, the Statesman previously reported.
—Rose Evans
updated May 8, Idaho Statesman, 8 May 2026
The release marks the latest chapter amid a resurgent public interest in UFOs, which has been spurred by a number of high-profile Congressional hearings in recent years on the topic.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Alex and Lizzy drove around DC and sat down with six former FDA officials to discuss their love for the agency — and why months of turmoil ultimately spurred their exits.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for spurred
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurred
Verb
-
Over the past year, Shugar and his co-authors have dug more deeply into seismic records and other observations of the glacier to figure out what happened.—
Megan I. Gannon,
Scientific American,
6 May 2026
-
To help natural forces rebuild the marsh more quickly, restoration crews dug channels into the farmland before breaching the levee.—
John Ryan,
NPR,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
The assailant stabbed the pope with a bayonet, but the assassination attempt was unsuccessful.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
-
Despite attempts to de-escalate the situation, the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed one of the officers multiple times.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
6 May 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
-
Hartman caught the pass and poked it low past Wedgewood while being buried by a Brent Burns check.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
-
Joshua poked me in the shoulder.—
Chang-rae Lee,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
Verb
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The Pistons punched back with a 20-5 run as the Magic at one point missed 13 straight shots from the floor.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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The would-be robbery victim did not need medical attention after being punched.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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He was mocked and goaded by Callum Newman into attacking Shingo Takagi after Newman retained the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
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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
Verb
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Later, when the oldest hit her mid-teens and eventually went off to college, the two boys were nudged into leadership roles of their own and nominally put in charge of the youngest kid, a sister.—
Andre Mouchard,
Daily News,
9 May 2026
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Hawkers hitched boxes higher and nudged each other to behold the spirited pregnant woman.—
‘Pemi Aguda,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Two more walks burned Warren in the fourth, as Duran followed with a sac fly before Seager knocked an RBI single.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
MacKinnon was credited with two hits in the game — one on Hughes, which knocked the talented defenseman to the ice, and another on Boldy, who went hard into the boards.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurred. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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