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
While the actor has not commented publicly on the casting, the announcement has already spurred discussions online about reimagining legacy roles through inclusive casting. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025 The episodes turned both women into advocates for patients and spurred research that made American health care safer. —Arthur Allen, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
European allies stress support for Kyiv Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Washington’s decision could act as a spur to a peace agreement. —Samya Kullab, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025 Freeman underwent surgery on Nov. 30 to remove the chip and shave down the spurs. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 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
  • Yet it must be acknowledged that the impetus for the freezing of federal dollars for certain universities was a crisis for Jewish students, caused by the failure of college administrators to counter antisemitism and the harassment of Jews on campus.
    — Christian Schneider, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Likewise, the impetus may be the same for McDonald’s customers.
    — BYAlex Ledsom, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of impetus
Noun
  • Comedian and car aficionado Jay Leno drove state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, in a 1976 Pontiac Trans-Am past the state Capitol on Tuesday, rallying support for legislation that would ease restrictions on classic cars.
    — HECTOR AMEZCUA, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • But there was a sense of hope, rather than expectation, among the home support as the players walked out on a crystal clear spring evening in North London.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of support
Verb
  • Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.
    — Remington Miller, Arkansas Online, 9 Apr. 2025
  • For tulip bulbs treated as annuals, the plants can be dug from the garden as soon as the flowers fade and the foliage and bulbs composted.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of dig
Noun
  • Additionally, there was the buyout and retirement incentives of another 3,000 employees.
    — Mike Dombeck, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Therefore, there should be incentive for everyone to work collectively to get rid of STDs and give any efforts to do so more than a slow clap, so to speak.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of incentive
Verb
  • Others, of course, love the show's ability to poke fun at the cultural and political zeitgeist of the moment.
    — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
  • The success of Deadpool & Wolverine was a bright spot in 2024, but that movie soared to success in part by poking fun at Marvel's failings.
    — Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
Definition of poke
Noun
  • Those responses were the encouragement Mez needed.
    — Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Ebony said a special moment is when plungers are ready to hit the lake, Special Olympians are there to shout encouragement.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of encouragement
Noun
  • By engaging employees in the process of creating their own learning plans and using them as a guideline for managing that person, managers establish a cycle of positive reinforcement that has tangible benefits.
    — Bruce Tulgan, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Turing Award: The award, often called the Nobel Prize of computing, was given to Andrew Barto and Richard Sutton, the developers of a technique called reinforcement learning that is vital to chatbots.
    — Eli Tan, New York Times, 28 Mar. 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 23 Apr. 2025.

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