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
In earlier debt sales, banks and company management had touted X’s relationship with Musk’s startup as a sweetener to spur investor interest. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025 Trump reiterated his call April 23 for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, which would be expected to spur economic growth. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
Art’s spur came not only from the specialized art world, but from ordinary human experience. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2025 Men dressed as 1880s gunfighters are forever clomping up and down wooden sidewalks with jingling spurs and holstered revolvers on their belts. —Richard Grant, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025 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
  • The passenger who shot him was stabbed in the back and lungs and remains in critical condition, according to CBS News.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Police in Frisco on Thursday night responded to a gunshot call at a house where relatives of a 17-year-old boy who was stabbed to death at a track meet live.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of stab
Noun
  • The impetus for his ire had everything to do with Minnesota big man Rudy Gobert, who was being chastised by the fan when Edwards decided to step in and take over the exchange.
    — Sam Amick, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Union leaders said the impetus for the strike was a string of 44 labor law violations allegedly committed by the county, including retaliation and contracting out work that’s supposed to be done by union members.
    — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of impetus
Noun
  • That village is blessed by the camaraderie and support found in two fantastic trustee candidates, both of whom will no doubt work together to better their village for years to come.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2025
  • There is also bipartisan support for the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act to be located on the mall.
    — Deborah Barfield Berry, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of support
Verb
  • Using a travel pill organizer can save space and keep you from having to dig around your bag for all of your vitamins and medicine.
    — Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The companies involved in the cable installation project called Missouri’s 811 information line and shared their intent to dig before April 9.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of dig
Noun
  • The Trump administration is also working to undo incentives around clean energy, particularly the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
    — Umair Irfan, Wired News, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Slate Auto There’s also the issue of federal incentives.
    — Abigail Bassett, ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of incentive
Verb
  • Antetokounmpo poked the ball away from Nembhard briefly and a scramble ensued, but the Pacers came up with the ball.
    — Eric Nehm, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Amy Schumer also took to Instagram to poke fun at the mission, jokingly revealing she had been chosen to be part of the crew at the last minute.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of poke
Noun
  • Katherine, an avid reader who loves James Joyce and modern poetry, tries her hand at screenwriting, with Fred’s encouragement.
    — Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Not only this, his friends also came to his defense, offering words of encouragement.
    — Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of encouragement
Noun
  • Unlike traditional one-and-done training sessions, these tools provide continuous reinforcement through scalable, on-demand coaching.
    — Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • But a receiving group that struggled with drops last season still needs reinforcements.
    — Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of reinforcement

Phrases Containing spur

Browse Nearby Words

spunky
spur
spurious
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Cite this Entry

“Spur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spur. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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