spur 1 of 2

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

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
Verb
  • He was also suspected in a different stabbing several weeks ago in Bridgeport.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025
  • But when that program was repealed, Maria was forced to send her daughter to the local public school where, recently, three students were charged with stabbing, running over, and burning a fellow student.
    Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
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
Noun
  • At a press conference announcing the move, Van Hollen said his support for Abrego Garcia is about due process and the Supreme Court’s order to facilitate his return.
    Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • There’s an answer May is Mental Health Awareness Month — a time to shine a light on the struggles many of us face and to remind ourselves that support is within reach.
    Letters to the editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2025
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
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
  • In other words, the additional $10.8 million was a margin of error for Centene’s calculations — and an incentive for Florida not to do its own analysis to see if the company was accurate.
    Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Several viewers have shared their own opinions on what the goldendoodle's decision to stay downstairs with the man means, while others have expressed how similarly their own pets behave, or poked fun at the viral moment, causing joy among viewers.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • Pickard poked fun at himself late in the regular season for doing a double-pad stack in 2025.
    Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Howard — a former pro wrestler with his own extensive résumé — has been instrumental in Stark’s journey, offering encouragement and guidance both inside and outside the ring.
    Nasha Smith, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • His 56 percent share of on-ice shot attempts offers encouragement, but Lowry needs to find a better way to help. 4.
    Murat Ates, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • According to the American Kennel Club, successful introductions rely on neutral territory, positive reinforcement, and close supervision.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • Then, engineers revise the production model using a technique called reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF).
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spur. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

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