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
And a great-grandmother’s medicine tested positive for cocaine – spawning a 15-month legal nightmare, forcing her to refinance her home, and spurring a new state law that could set a precedent across the country.
—
Holly Yan, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
The longer grass blades prevent sunlight from reaching the soil surface and spurring weed seed germination.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Apr. 2026
Though Adams’ firing played a role in spurring the team, so did Buffalo getting healthier.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Mahan painted himself as a pragmatist who led San José to being named the safest large city in the nation, reducing homelessness by one-third and spurring the construction of housing by reducing regulatory restrictions and fees.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Trade disputes and political tension are spurring carmakers to strike these different partnerships.
—Robert Ferris, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
The lead-up to the school’s first class comes as both private and public schools in Chicago have faced allegations of antisemitism, spurring concern and desire for an alternative among some local Jewish parents.
—Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Then, a record-breaking heat wave last week zapped much of the remaining snow, raising wildfire concerns and spurring water-use restrictions in places like Denver.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
As architectural fashion has shifted, the software is no longer associated with complex geometry, and the pretense that digital tools might liberate architects—spurring them to new heights of creativity—has faded.
—Julian Rose, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026
Holly Yan, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
The longer grass blades prevent sunlight from reaching the soil surface and spurring weed seed germination.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Apr. 2026
Though Adams’ firing played a role in spurring the team, so did Buffalo getting healthier.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
Mahan painted himself as a pragmatist who led San José to being named the safest large city in the nation, reducing homelessness by one-third and spurring the construction of housing by reducing regulatory restrictions and fees.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Trade disputes and political tension are spurring carmakers to strike these different partnerships.
—Robert Ferris, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
The lead-up to the school’s first class comes as both private and public schools in Chicago have faced allegations of antisemitism, spurring concern and desire for an alternative among some local Jewish parents.
—Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Then, a record-breaking heat wave last week zapped much of the remaining snow, raising wildfire concerns and spurring water-use restrictions in places like Denver.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
As architectural fashion has shifted, the software is no longer associated with complex geometry, and the pretense that digital tools might liberate architects—spurring them to new heights of creativity—has faded.
—Julian Rose, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurring
Verb
-
She is accused of stabbing a pregnant woman outside in the parking lot of the Harris Teeter in Cotswold on March 18.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
In 2013 she was convicted of manslaughter in the stabbing death of her boyfriend.—
Tracy Grant,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Upon the umpteenth retelling, Jules (Jeff Wilbusch)—who witnessed the gory death of Rachel’s mother (Victoria Pedretti) as a little boy and therefore wholeheartedly believes in the curse—begins poking holes in the story.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
2 Apr. 2026
-
While the 1930s and 1940s did see some instances of carnival poking fun at the tyranny of the Nazi regime (none of which, it should be noted, went unpunished), Birdsall and other scholars maintain that the festival was, first and foremost, an avenue for propaganda.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
And six years later, Donovan is still prodding and cajoling the forward to crash the boards and control his dribble and contribute physically to the game.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Some say his solo effort against Manchester City in 2021 was the pinnacle, when the winger waltzed past one of the best defenses in the world before prodding his shot into the side-netting.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Once soil health improves, many gardeners find that digging individual planting holes is sufficient for establishing crops.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
-
And they’ve consistently been plagued by slow starts, digging themselves a too-familiar hole again by falling behind 2-0 for the fifth time in six games.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Williams allegedly became involved in a physical altercation with the K-9 and multiple officers, punching the dog several times in the head and body, Caruso said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Just like anything short of getting back to the conference finals and punching a ticket to The Big Dance will be grounds for termination for the Knicks roster as currently constructed.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That’s like a flower scrupulously nudging out from between sidewalk slabs, a breath of fresh air.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Broward Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott is nudging cities to move away from March.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Those of us not actually knocking hung back in the stairwell; even so, some residents were hesitant to engage.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In the fall, residents learn about the process through public service announcements, local media, door-knocking outreach or word of mouth.—
Celina Su,
The Conversation,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurring. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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