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

Relevance

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Underneath, a dress in a nearly identical shade poked through slightly, and the actress paired her all-gray attire with black pumps and a matching purse — plus her signature blonde bob, of course.
    — Bailey Richards, People.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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spur. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on spur

Nglish: Translation of spur for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All