as in stabbing
to urge or push forward with or as if with a pointed object
gently spurred the horse with his heels
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Recent Examples of spurring
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
Since then, Newsom has repeatedly threatened to withhold funding from cities that don’t deliver reductions in homelessness, spurring clashes with local officials and hand-wringing among homeless services providers nervous about their financial futures.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Oil prices fell sharply Wednesday after a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran took effect, spurring hopes that oil tankers would be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
—Riane Lumer, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Stop pruning in August to avoid spurring new tender foliage that can be damaged in winter.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2026
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
Since then, Newsom has repeatedly threatened to withhold funding from cities that don’t deliver reductions in homelessness, spurring clashes with local officials and hand-wringing among homeless services providers nervous about their financial futures.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Oil prices fell sharply Wednesday after a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran took effect, spurring hopes that oil tankers would be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
—Riane Lumer, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Stop pruning in August to avoid spurring new tender foliage that can be damaged in winter.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurring
Verb
-
Police were called to the area by witnesses who reported a woman was actively stabbing a man.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Delisle pleaded guilty to stabbing his father in April 2025 and lighting the family’s mobile home on fire in the 1000 block of 3rd Street North, according to a judgment of conviction.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For his part, Anderson possessed a wry sense of humor and wasn’t above poking fun at himself.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
This second season is once again poking at inertia and stasis and how romantic relationships can crumble into a series of self-destructive choices.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
16 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
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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
-
On the side of the house, another group of students was digging the ditch where the electrical lines would lie.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Scientists say that shells of reptiles caught by children may have been used as ladles or digging devices by early humans over 100,000 years ago.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The video shows Timothy Brown's arrest last week in Brooklyn, in which the arresting officers can be seen repeatedly punching him, and shoving him to the ground.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
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Brown again pulls his hands away from the cops before Maden starts punching him.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This external stripping accelerates the heating and expansion of the dwarf galaxy, nudging it toward that dynamical attractor even faster.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
20 Apr. 2026
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Crappies are quite capable of inhaling your entire jig without even nudging the float.—
Cory Schmidt,
Outdoor Life,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Crews will be knocking door to door, assessing the damage in hopes of getting the state and federal emergency declarations for Ann Arbor, which could help residents pay for repairs.—
Jack Springgate,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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An Idaho Statesman reporter was unable to reach Ricks for comment by calling a number believed to belong to Ricks and by visiting the property several times, knocking on his door and leaving notes.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurring. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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