# spurred

/ˈspɝd/ (US) · /spˈɜːd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/spurred
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

to encourage someone to do something or to make a process happen faster. It is like giving someone a little push to get them moving.

For teachers: to incite or stimulate an action or a person into activity. Often used in the past tense to describe a sudden increase in motivation or economic growth.

## Examples

- The low prices spurred many people to buy new cars.
- The government's new tax breaks spurred significant investment in the local tech sector over the last fiscal year.
- While the initial discovery was accidental, it spurred a decade of intensive research that eventually led to a breakthrough in renewable energy storage.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and typically takes a direct object, often followed by an infinitive phrase ('spurred someone to do something').

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.