as in stabbing
to urge or push forward with or as if with a pointed object
gently spurred the horse with his heels
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Recent Examples of spurring
Iran’s economy was already in shambles before the war began more than three months ago, with high inflation and a currency crash spurring mass protests in late December.
—
Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 June 2026
China dominates the global drone supply chain, spurring Taiwan to build a domestic ecosystem, with the island’s exports to Europe surging in the last two years.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 15 June 2026
Indeed, instead of spurring action, the slogans sometimes substitute for it.
—Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
The race to sway their decisions is spurring some strange experiments.
—Will Oremus, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
In the 21st century, Carson remains a cultural touchstone, not only spurring generations of people in the global environmental movement but also inspiring a deep well of nature writing and thinking as a result of her works on the sea.
—Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Similar charges were leveled against several other rival candidates ahead of the election, spurring accusations of authoritarianism and corruption against Pashinyan’s government.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2026
The force of that earthquake six years ago traveled several hundred miles away to South Florida cut the workday short for employees in several buildings and spurring some road shutdowns.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 June 2026
Compounding those issues are rising fuel costs, all spurring intense financial scrutiny.
—Steven Beynon, ABC News, 3 June 2026
Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 June 2026
China dominates the global drone supply chain, spurring Taiwan to build a domestic ecosystem, with the island’s exports to Europe surging in the last two years.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 15 June 2026
Indeed, instead of spurring action, the slogans sometimes substitute for it.
—Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
The race to sway their decisions is spurring some strange experiments.
—Will Oremus, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
In the 21st century, Carson remains a cultural touchstone, not only spurring generations of people in the global environmental movement but also inspiring a deep well of nature writing and thinking as a result of her works on the sea.
—Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Similar charges were leveled against several other rival candidates ahead of the election, spurring accusations of authoritarianism and corruption against Pashinyan’s government.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2026
The force of that earthquake six years ago traveled several hundred miles away to South Florida cut the workday short for employees in several buildings and spurring some road shutdowns.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 June 2026
Compounding those issues are rising fuel costs, all spurring intense financial scrutiny.
—Steven Beynon, ABC News, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurring
Verb
-
He was tried, convicted and sentenced to 35 years behind bars earlier this month for stabbing and killing 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas.—
Kelsie Cairns,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
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He was sentenced to life in prison in 1994 for manslaughter, after fatally stabbing a man during a fight.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
The post included a picture of a baby’s feet poking out from a blanket.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
In Labour circles, there is an old joke poking fun at Burnham’s chameleon-like ability to blend into whichever set of ideas is in vogue on the left at that moment in time.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
Verb
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His Dahl is constantly goading people, driving them right up to the edge of their tolerance.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
-
So, does Roan deserve all the credit for softening the nature of these carpets, where dozens of photographers gather to scream goading or even offensive remarks at talent just to get their attention?—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been vocal about prodding the BOJ to keep hiking.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
Be careful prodding Beth about Jamie, Beulah!—
William Earl,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Price may attract attention initially, but many patients continue digging deeper before committing.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
Aided by Rachel, David begins digging through the past to figure out what happened to Matthew.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Georgia finished the season with a record of 53-14, won the SEC regular season and tournament titles, along with punching its first ticket back to Omaha for the first time since 2008.—
Hunter DeLauder,
AJC.com,
18 June 2026
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He was also cuffed inside his Bronx home in 2024 after punching a family member in the face and choking them.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
Verb
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The state in recent months has begun nudging the river district and the eight groundwater districts within the basin to begin taking more concrete steps to slow the depletion.—
Allen Best,
Denver Post,
14 June 2026
-
The nurturing Moon enters your 6th House of Daily Routine, nudging you to set a clear calendar block that protects your focus.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 June 2026
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Newsom’s office said that along with the FBI, agents from the IRS have been knocking on doors and asking questions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurring. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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