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.

News of the pocket watch spurred fierce debate among fans, many of whom hoped that the brands would be releasing a version of Audemars Piguet’s signature Royal Oak wristwatch.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

The heckling spurred Burnham on to raise the issue in cabinet, contributing to the launch of a second inquiry into the disaster.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

Wrexham’s streak of annual promotions spurred by its celebrity owners’ investment ended on Saturday, leaving the team in the second-tier Championship.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 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

The new highways spurred car sales, truck sales, and the construction of new suburban homes.

From "Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal" by Eric Schlosser