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spur

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of spur

1 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 of spur

boost, encouragement, goad, impetus, impulse, incentive, incitation, incitement, instigation, momentum, motivation, provocation, stimulant, stimulus, yeast
Words Related to spur

inducement, invitation

antecedent, cause, consideration, grounds, motive, occasion, reason

catalyst, catalyzer, fuel, spark
Phrases Synonymous with spur

shot in the arm
Antonyms of spur

counterincentive, disincentive

2 a structure that holds up or serves as a foundation for something else

  • a weak wall that might need a spur
Synonyms of spur

brace, buttress, mount, mounting, prop, reinforcement, shore, stay, support, underpinning
Words Related to spur

shoring

column, pedestal, pilaster, pillar

arch, bolster, bracket, cantilever, girder

bearing

crutch, peg, post, stake, stanchion, stand, stilt, strut, truss

base, foundation, frame

Synonym Discussion of spur

motive, impulse, incentive, inducement, spur, goad mean a stimulus to action. motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.
    • a motive for the crime
impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.
    • buying on impulse
incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.
    • a bonus was offered as an incentive
inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.
    • offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe
spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.
    • fear was a spur to action
goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.
    • thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

spur

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of spur

to urge or push forward with or as if with a pointed object

  • gently spurred the horse with his heels
Synonyms of spur

dig, goad, prod
Words Related to spur

chuck, jab, jog, knock, nudge, poke

bore, drill, perforate, pierce, prick, punch, puncture, stab, stick

drive, hale, propel

Learn More about spur

  1. See words that rhyme with spur Dictionary: Definition of spur Medical Dictionary: Definition of spur Spanish Central: Translation of spur Nglish: Translation of spur for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of spur for Arabic speakers

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