Thesaurus results for SPURRING

spurring

verb

present participle of spur

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of spurring Rather than spurring action because more teams are in the race, clubs have acted more cautiously. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 The Lindsay Clancy trial has captivated the nation, spurring furious online debate on the state of maternal healthcare and whether she should be held criminally responsible for killing her three children. — Yasmin Vossoughian, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026 The Davis City Council voted Tuesday to approve a slate of changes to outdoor dining rules aimed at spurring economic development downtown. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 The Digest The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in San Diego is in financial crisis, having recently fired eight workers and closed its main campus to the public, spurring calls for the removal of director Andrew Utt. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 When Lydia’s sister, Claudine, becomes Odette’s new stepmother, a ghostly presence emerges in the house — spurring a story about grief and motherhood. — Chloe Gong, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 Ossoff first voted to block weapons sales to Israel in November 2024, spurring a critical open letter from several Georgia Jewish organizations including synagogues, Jewish schools, the local Anti-Defamation League chapter and other groups. — Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 The Bush and Obama administrations were heavily criticized by Republicans for the bailout, spurring on the nascent Tea Party movement with complaints of government overreach into the free market. — Norah Rami, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 The announcement is spurring fears of a fresh wave of Canadian travelers steering clear of the US. — Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurring

Verb

The California woman who fled to Mexico after fatally stabbing her wife, a captain with the state’s wildland firefighting agency, was sentenced this week to 36 years to life in prison, officials said.

— Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
In June 2018, McFatridge was accused of stabbing his mother with a spear, authorities have said.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of stabbing

Verb

Seething at his dad for poking at his body insecurities, the comedian dealt with his emotions like any good millennial — by podcasting about it.

— Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Wear the fall wardrobe staple layered, like Brinkley did under a cardigan with the lace poking through, or style it on its own when the weather is a little warmer.

— Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of poking

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

Definition of goading

Verb

But the forces prodding Shin to boost rates are increasingly affecting Fed policy decisions.

— William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
But economic and political pressures, both domestic and international, have been prodding policymakers to rethink the path and the pace of getting there.

— Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of prodding

Verb

With little in the way of young players or draft capital aside from Wagler, scoring a big star in free agency is probably their best hope of digging themselves out of this mess in the next decade or so.

— John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
The company had sent heavy machinery to the site, an undeveloped valley in northeast Independence, a month earlier to start tilling the earth and digging runoff ponds.

— Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of digging

Verb

In the film, ex-girlfriend Jill Jones reportedly accused Prince of repeatedly punching her in 1984.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
One recent City Series game at Wrigley also had three arrests and included viral brawl that many Cubs fans blamed on Sox fans, though video showed a guy in a Cubs jersey was punching a guy in a Cubs jersey as well.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of punching

Browse Nearby Words

spurred

spurring

spurs

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“Spurring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurring. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of spurring

verb

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