spur 1 of 2

verb

Definition of spurnext
as in to stab
to urge or push forward with or as if with a pointed object gently spurred the horse with his heels

Synonyms & Similar Words

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spur

2 of 2

noun

ˈspər How to pronounce spur (audio)
1
as in impetus
something that arouses action or activity the threat of losing its only sports franchise was the spur the city council needed to finally do something about the rising crime rate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in support
a structure that holds up or serves as a foundation for something else a weak wall that might need a spur

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun spur contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of spur are goad, impulse, incentive, inducement, and motive. While all these words mean "a stimulus to action," spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.

fear was a spur to action

In what contexts can goad take the place of spur?

While the synonyms goad and spur are close in meaning, goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.

thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

When might impulse be a better fit than spur?

The meanings of impulse and spur largely overlap; however, impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

buying on impulse

When could incentive be used to replace spur?

Although the words incentive and spur have much in common, incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.

a bonus was offered as an incentive

When can inducement be used instead of spur?

While in some cases nearly identical to spur, inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.

offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

Where would motive be a reasonable alternative to spur?

The words motive and spur can be used in similar contexts, but motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.

a motive for the crime

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spur
Verb
Chiu said the anniversary helped spur major gifts from artists and longtime supporters, many of whom already had deep relationships with the museum. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 13 May 2026 Rosen has previously explained that the move was spurred by a change in philosophy inspired by historical racial injustice and a state moratorium regarding capital punishment. —Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
Noun
Their pillowy heel cups reduce impact and pressure — an important feature for people managing plantar fasciitis or heel spurs. —Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026 The stream shows a gap and spur pattern, as if something invisible passed through it and disrupted its structure. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spur
  1. stab
  2. impetus
  3. support
  4. dig
  5. incentive
  6. poke
  7. encouragement
  8. reinforcement
Verb
  • Three people were stabbed on a Rhode Island beach Tuesday as hundreds of teenagers packed the area, forcing beachgoers to flee.
    — Louis Casiano , Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2026
  • The family's dog then came to protect the family, and Vigneau allegedly stabbed the dog twice in the mouth area, prosecutors say.
    — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Definition of stab
Noun
  • The swell of political dissatisfaction with Starmer from many of his colleagues, and what appears to be his narrow escape from an immediate leadership challenge, provides the impetus for the government to revamp its legislative agenda.
    — Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 13 May 2026
  • The project now has fresh impetus with SBS Productions and SBS International, which is repping sales at the Cannes market.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Definition of impetus
Noun
  • Pratt, Bech Parker said, was the only mayoral hopeful to show support for their effort.
    — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2026
  • The package includes airport pickup and drop-off, three nights of accommodation, daily yoga and meditation, a one-hour treatment, specialized workshops and pre- and post-retreat support.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2026
Definition of support
Verb
  • There are a few possibilities for non-gopher holes, including the Norway rat, voles, moles, rabbits, ground squirrels and snakes, which don’t dig their own underground burrows but take over old tunnels and improve upon them.
    — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
  • The wheels were set in motion, and Kubicek started digging to find out whether anything like it had been done before.
    — Jeff Miller, Rolling Stone, 18 May 2026
Definition of dig
Noun
  • House members who occupy safe seats have fewer incentives to compromise or work across the aisle.
    — Ashley Wu, New York Times, 18 May 2026
  • Provincial incentives can be stacked with the federal rebate to a bonus tax credit rate of 45 percent — a significant lever in an era when every greenlight is being scrutinized.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
Definition of incentive
Verb
  • Spikes of speedwell look lovely poking up along the edges of paths and garden beds in summer.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
  • Some birds also will poke holes in the ground looking for tasty critters.
    — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
Definition of poke
Noun
  • For this year's campaign, Kemp rebuffed Senate Republican leaders' encouragement to challenge Ossoff and declined to endorse either Collins or Carter.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 May 2026
  • There’s so much encouragement, advice, and support happening in every one.
    — Glamour, Glamour, 18 May 2026
Definition of encouragement
Noun
  • Bickerstaff occasionally turned to Paul Reed for reinforcements, even benching Duren for Reed for the entirety of the fourth quarter and overtime in Game 5.
    — Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 18 May 2026
  • At the learning core, the system uses an Asymmetric Actor-Critic reinforcement learning framework.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 18 May 2026
Definition of reinforcement

Phrases Containing spur

Browse Nearby Words

spunky
spur
spurious
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spur. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spur

Nglish: Translation of spur for Spanish Speakers

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