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
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
As new tools emerge for hackers, so too do new responses emerge in the world of online protection, creating this cycle that keeps spurring on further innovation and progression.
—William Jones, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Compounding those issues are rising fuel costs, all spurring intense financial scrutiny.
—Steven Beynon, ABC News, 3 June 2026
As a child, Mastel suffered from near-constant allergies and illnesses and in 1966, a serious intestinal illness hospitalized him for 54 days, spurring his interest in natural supplements and plants to try to quiet his symptoms.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 3 June 2026
FedEx Freight’s largest incumbent advantage to spurring this growth comes from its massive North American service network.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 2 June 2026
In December 2024, Lipa posted photos featuring a diamond ring on her left ring finger, spurring engagement chatter.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
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
As new tools emerge for hackers, so too do new responses emerge in the world of online protection, creating this cycle that keeps spurring on further innovation and progression.
—William Jones, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Compounding those issues are rising fuel costs, all spurring intense financial scrutiny.
—Steven Beynon, ABC News, 3 June 2026
As a child, Mastel suffered from near-constant allergies and illnesses and in 1966, a serious intestinal illness hospitalized him for 54 days, spurring his interest in natural supplements and plants to try to quiet his symptoms.
—Mars King, Twin Cities, 3 June 2026
FedEx Freight’s largest incumbent advantage to spurring this growth comes from its massive North American service network.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 2 June 2026
In December 2024, Lipa posted photos featuring a diamond ring on her left ring finger, spurring engagement chatter.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurring
Verb
-
Concerns about light rail safety in Charlotte remain after the August stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska on a light rail train.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
-
On Tuesday, Anthony was found guilty by a Texas jury in the 2025 stabbing death of Austin Metcalf at a track meet.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Pulisic, the American star who is under intense pressure to perform in this tournament, set up the goal, pushing the ball between a pair of defenders before poking it on for McKennie in the center of the box.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
-
As the miles dragged on, a chase vehicle crept by periodically with cameras poking out the window to capture scenes that could later be shared on social media, where Emanuel now has an almost daily presence.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 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
-
Be careful prodding Beth about Jamie, Beulah!—
William Earl,
Variety,
12 June 2026
-
The Spanish international might have scored on his comeback, prodding an instinctive effort over the bar from close range.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
The Marlins had yet to score when Gusto pitched his final inning, flipping the script for an offense that has often been tasked with digging Miami’s pitching staff out of an early hole.—
Tyler Carmona
June 11,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
-
This isn’t See’s first time digging through archives to interrogate the truth of the place where her great-grandparents Fong See and Letticie Pruett settled in 1897.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
In extreme cases, like intentionally punching another player, a referee can go straight to a red card and eject a player from the match.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
Former Broncos outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite is no longer facing misdemeanor charges for allegedly punching a Denver Police officer in 2024 at Denver International Airport, but the officer is still suing him over the incident.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
As evening begins, the moody Moon in Aquarius forms an easy sextile with healing Chiron, nudging supportive conversations within groups and wider circles.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 2026
-
Summer in New York has a way of nudging even my all-black wardrobe in a more colorful direction, inspiring me to experiment with brighter shades—if only on my nails (which, in my book, absolutely counts as a pop of color).—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The complaint alleges Hickey was walking along a spectator pathway outside the arena fence when Party Bus suddenly jumped into the crowd and landed on top of her, knocking Hickey to the ground and crushing her right shoulder and right calf.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
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After knocking England out of the 2018 World Cup, for example, Croatia’s players were keen to throw that line back in their face afterwards.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurring. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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