spornen
Translation
to spur on, to encourage, to motivate
Examples
Sein Ehrgeiz spornte ihn.
His ambition spurred him on.
Die Kritik spornte sie zu neuer Arbeit.
The criticism spurred her on to new work.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.)) ((to sth.)) to spur (sb.) on to (sth.) The criticism spurred her on to new work.
((sb.)) to spur (sb.) on His ambition spurred him on.
Similar Words
Synonyms: motivieren (to motivate), antreiben (to drive on); Antonyms: entmutigen (to discourage), bremsen (to brake)
Etymology
From the noun 'der Sporn' (the spur), the metal device on a rider's boot.
Memory Tips
Literally 'to apply the spurs'. Imagine a rider using spurs ('Sporn') to make a horse go faster. This verb means to metaphorically 'spur' someone on.