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
The bank’s president and chairman, John Jovanovic, told CNBC that manufacturers, which benefit the most from the reserve, are making a long-term financial commitment, while the government loan spurs private investments. —Didi Tang, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026 All these forces converge to signal continued instability at City Hall in the wake of the political realignment spurred by the council rebellion against Johnson. —Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
Follow a short spur path for views of the sandstone arch. —Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 10 Oct. 2025 Some say his spurs are still jingling down the hallway, chasing after her. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 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 non-profit also found a teenager who stabbed people outside a mosque in Turkey appeared to have been influenced by nihilistic subcultures.
    — Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The 22-year-old daughter of Minnesota GOP gubernatorial candidate Jeff Johnson was allegedly stabbed to death by her husband Saturday in what police said was an apparent botched murder-suicide.
    — Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of stab
Noun
  • Poor weather was the impetus for the decision.
    — Kevin Collier, NBC news, 4 Feb. 2026
  • What was the impetus for your first chess game?
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
Definition of impetus
Noun
  • The item will come back for a final vote on March 3, and will require support from at least four of the five members to be placed on the June 2 ballot.
    — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Polling shows support for photo ID requirements in elections is widespread in both political parties.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
Definition of support
Verb
  • Matt Byrne Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.
    — Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The fallout from the files has consumed much of the news media in recent weeks, dominating headlines and coverage at major news institutions as journalists and independent creators dig through the files for embarrassing nuggets of association about high-profile individuals.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of dig
Noun
  • This isn’t shaping up as one of those years with a McDavid-level or even Bedard-level prospect waiting with the first pick, but in a way that’s even more incentive to tank for dead last, assuring no worse than a top-three pick in a year where that still might get you the best player.
    — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Compared someone making monetary demands, a kidnapper looking to make a statement can be more dangerous because there is less incentive to keep the person alive.
    — Chris Kenning, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of incentive
Verb
  • Kimmel wasn’t the only late-night host to poke fun at TPUSA’s counter-program, born out of MAGA’s outcry over Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl halftime show.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The Americans, meanwhile, stayed on their best, most humble behavior afterward, trying not to poke the wounded bear.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of poke
Noun
  • Aleksandar Mishkov, dog trainer and owner of The Daily Tail, offers a note of encouragement to all would-be pup owners.
    — Taylor Grothe, Parents, 9 Feb. 2026
  • He could be heard often on Saturday screaming encouragement to the middle school group during one-on-one drills.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of encouragement
Noun
  • The partnership builds on earlier reinforcement learning work, including the Spot Reinforcement Learning Researcher Kit, which enabled record-setting running speeds for the quadruped robot, reports Humanoids Daily.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Jones, who's been starting in Gordon's spot, will already be part of the call for reinforcements.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
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 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spur

Nglish: Translation of spur for Spanish Speakers

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