spurred

[spurd] / spɜrd /

VERB

incite, prompt

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arouse drive propel push spark stimulate stir trigger

STRONG

animate awaken countenance exhort favor goad goose impel instigate press prick prod rally rouse sic urge

WEAK

egg on fire up key up put up to turn on work up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm check discourage dissuade halt repress stop

STRONG

deaden

WEAK

disapprove

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Camden, Ark., addressed a worker shortage for defense manufacturing, spurred by a 2022 Pentagon call for weapons.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

The operation was privately funded by two German entrepreneurs and spurred intense public debate, with critics suggesting it would only cause the animal distress.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

Just as the sporting event has spurred upgrades of museums and the Metro, it’s an impetus to make sure the beaches are camera-ready.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

Although we had decades of clinical data validating its effectiveness, it was an observation from a longitudinal study of healthy nurses in the 1980s that spurred the largest bump in hormone usage.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

Surely her example spurred me on to pursue what now seems ludicrous, but at the time was the height of my post-Manzanar ambitions.

From "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Houston