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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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 report, which looked at other local attractions like the annual Bonnaroo music festival, credited the park with creating more than 23,000 jobs in the region and spurring more airline traffic during peak season. — Rachel Siegel, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 Nvidia’s second-quarter earnings are spurring a rally in its stock price. — Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026 In a second interview, Dupree testified Davis stated that his nephew Orlando Anderson had been jumped, spurring Davis and cohorts on a hunt for revenge against Shakur. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Will Pattiz is a contributor to Writers on the Range, an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. — Will Pattiz, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2026 While some view them as competitors, market data suggests synergy, with engagement in one often spurring interest in the other. — Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Fuel costs for airlines and autos, due to the Iran conflict, are spurring much of that growth. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026 The data centers that power artificial intelligence are being built at a rampant pace, and are spurring resistance all over the country. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026 This spring, three blue whale carcasses washed up on the Newfoundland shore, spurring a panic about whale explosions. — Naomi Skwarna, hazlitt.net, 13 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

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“Spurring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurring. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of spurring

verb

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