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
Relevance
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
The government is mindful of not hurting economic growth or spurring panic among consumers.
—
Shoko Oda, Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026
The move appears to have backfired, spurring voters in California and, last week, Virginia to redraw their state’s political maps to more than offset Texas and boost Democrats in November.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Its various hair gadgets (and their premium price tags) have enjoyed viral popularity among beauty influencers, spurring an influx of dupes like the Shark Flexstyle.
—Victoria Song, The Verge, 21 Apr. 2026
As with any successful mission, Cassini’s wealth of riches should be spurring us on to future investigations.
—Big Think, 15 Apr. 2026
In at least six instances, people have survived the operations, spurring efforts to find and rescue them in most cases.
—CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
His initial New York convictions were overturned, spurring a retrial last year.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
One August day in 1911, Peruggia hid the work under his jacket and walked away with it, spurring a media frenzy and the resignation of the Louvre’s director of paintings.
—Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Legislators removed an interim goal for utilities to cut carbon emissions, spurring concern from environmentalists that the state might miss its goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050.
—Jessica Hill, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
Shoko Oda, Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026
The move appears to have backfired, spurring voters in California and, last week, Virginia to redraw their state’s political maps to more than offset Texas and boost Democrats in November.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Its various hair gadgets (and their premium price tags) have enjoyed viral popularity among beauty influencers, spurring an influx of dupes like the Shark Flexstyle.
—Victoria Song, The Verge, 21 Apr. 2026
As with any successful mission, Cassini’s wealth of riches should be spurring us on to future investigations.
—Big Think, 15 Apr. 2026
In at least six instances, people have survived the operations, spurring efforts to find and rescue them in most cases.
—CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
His initial New York convictions were overturned, spurring a retrial last year.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
One August day in 1911, Peruggia hid the work under his jacket and walked away with it, spurring a media frenzy and the resignation of the Louvre’s director of paintings.
—Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Legislators removed an interim goal for utilities to cut carbon emissions, spurring concern from environmentalists that the state might miss its goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050.
—Jessica Hill, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurring
Verb
-
The woman, whose identity has not been made public, allegedly is seen hitting the man believed to be Alexander in the back, resulting in him promptly stabbing her in the hand.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Prosecutors said Andrews attacked Cressman, 39, striking him with a cricket bat before fatally stabbing him.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Martha Stewart, however—perhaps the least likely superstar to do so—is poking holes in that fantasy, giving us an iconic new selfie that feels wildly relatable to anyone familiar with the mayhem of getting ready.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Paul, who co-created the Apple TV+ series and drew from season one for the musical’s script and score, performs a dexterous trick, poking fun at the form’s many ridiculous tropes with an unmistakably affectionate hand.—
Naveen Kumar,
Variety,
21 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
-
Kuhner is a writer, and, a few months after his family arrived, neighbors started prodding him to take over the local bookstore, which was being sold.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The montage captured the 8-year-old digging a hole in the sand, jumping in the water and swimming in a wetsuit, playing cricket and running on the beach.—
Brie Stimson , Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Residents have also found the crews digging under the town’s oak and pine trees that survived last year’s fire.—
Melody Petersen,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The behavior of a suspect in the murders of two University of South Florida students from Bangladesh worsened over time from marijuana use, family members told deputies after his arrest three years ago for punching his brother in the face and kicking his mother in the back.—
Mike Schneider,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Ryan said Horner later confessed to punching and kicking the child in the head.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
OpenAI, for example, added a feature to ChatGPT in August that encourages users to take breaks after using the tool for extended periods of time instead of nudging them to keep responding.—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Five‑generation workforces that tap older adults as talent, mentors, and innovators instead of nudging them to the sidelines.—
Ken Dychtwald,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Iranians have been knocking around in the United States’ critical infrastructure for years.—
Sue Halpern,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Serve it at room temperature so the salad on top won't wilt (and the cooking is complete before the guests come knocking).—
Ashlyn Ware,
Midwest Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurring. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
