as in stabbing
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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Recent Examples of spurring
The seemingly ever-present A-lister has graced magazine covers for three decades, her haircut spurring thousands of women to lop off their long locks in the '90s.
—
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
The documentary points out that a viral YouTube series helped bring the category back into fashion, and coin the phrase ‘Yacht Rock,’ which has now taken on a life of its own, spurring not only new fans of the genre but touring bands who perform a category of hits from the era as well.
—Anne Easton, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
For its part, China, says the BRI has contributed to the social and economic development of member countries , created thousands of jobs and alleviated poverty, as well as spurring economic growth and commercial partnerships.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
The culmination of his divorce, along with a close friend losing his younger brother to murder stirred significant emotions within Alexander — spurring him to begin writing poetry.
—Angelina Liu, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
After inciting rage on both sides of the aisle, spurring conversations about private equity ruining fun, and generally being the internet’s main character (derogatory) for a week, the restaurant has brought back their barrel and the old man who guards it.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025
Pentagon laboratories are not spurring the AI boom, which purportedly holds the keys to America’s military and economic future.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 25 Aug. 2025
Other red and blue states are now considering gerrymandering, spurring nationwide calls to prohibit redistricting until the next census in 2030.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 25 Aug. 2025
As far as Henderson is concerned, that desire to rebuild was one of the key factors in spurring the team on.
—Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
The documentary points out that a viral YouTube series helped bring the category back into fashion, and coin the phrase ‘Yacht Rock,’ which has now taken on a life of its own, spurring not only new fans of the genre but touring bands who perform a category of hits from the era as well.
—Anne Easton, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
For its part, China, says the BRI has contributed to the social and economic development of member countries , created thousands of jobs and alleviated poverty, as well as spurring economic growth and commercial partnerships.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
The culmination of his divorce, along with a close friend losing his younger brother to murder stirred significant emotions within Alexander — spurring him to begin writing poetry.
—Angelina Liu, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
After inciting rage on both sides of the aisle, spurring conversations about private equity ruining fun, and generally being the internet’s main character (derogatory) for a week, the restaurant has brought back their barrel and the old man who guards it.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025
Pentagon laboratories are not spurring the AI boom, which purportedly holds the keys to America’s military and economic future.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 25 Aug. 2025
Other red and blue states are now considering gerrymandering, spurring nationwide calls to prohibit redistricting until the next census in 2030.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 25 Aug. 2025
As far as Henderson is concerned, that desire to rebuild was one of the key factors in spurring the team on.
—Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurring
Verb
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The video shows Brown seated behind the victim before pulling out a folding knife and stabbing her multiple times without provocation.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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Around four minutes later, the man pulls out a knife and begins stabbing Zarutska three times, including at least once in the neck.—
Bradford Betz,
FOXNews.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Gavras, working from a script he co-wrote with Pulitzer-finalist playwright Will Arbery, seems to be poking fun at the vacuous postures of the oligarch class, just as Ruben Östlund and many other filmmakers have in recent years.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
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New Bayern Munich signing Luis Díaz strolled down the left flank before cutting inside and poking a cross along the six-yard line.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Each rock bottom has come accompanied by a shovel, as the Dodgers keep digging deeper.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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The solution is to rejuvenate your plants every two to three years by digging and dividing the clump.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But a federal judge ruled against the police agency, concluding there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial — including a neighbor's cell phone video that captured a trooper punching the man in the face and slamming him to the ground.—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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While the employees of Dunder Mifflin largely were just punching a clock, the Truth Teller staff enjoys their work.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the past, these placements were also a reliable driver of indirect traffic, boosting your SERP visibility and nudging readers back to your site.—
Noa Eshed,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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In any event, this retrograde is nudging you to choose quality over quantity.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Roughly 89 hours after landing in Buffalo, there Prater was knocking the game-winning, walk-off 32-yard field goal through the uprights to beat the Baltimore Ravens 41-40 in what could be the NFL’s game of the year.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Fall is officially knocking at our doors, which means last month’s linen sets and sandals just won’t cut it.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Gunn starts jabbing his fingers into Corenswet’s chest.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
15 Aug. 2025
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Just jabbing people in the eye with a stick for the pleasure of it.—
Elizabeth Kaye Cook
August 6,
Literary Hub,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spurring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurring. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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