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 boost, encouragement, goad, impetus, incentive, incitation, incitement, instigation, momentum, motivation, provocation, impulse, stimulant, stimulus, yeastRelated Words inducement, invitation; antecedent, cause, consideration, grounds, motive, occasion, reason; catalyst, catalyzer, fuel, sparkAntonyms 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 brace, buttress, mount, mounting, prop, reinforcement, shore, support, stay, underpinningRelated Words shoring; column, pedestal, pilaster, pillar; arch, bolster, bracket, cantilever, girder; bearing; crutch, peg, post, stake, stanchion, stand, stilt, strut, truss; base, foundation, frame

to urge or push forward with or as if with a pointed object gently spurred the horse with his heels Synonyms dig, goad, prodRelated Words chuck, jab, jog, knock, nudge, poke; bore, drill, perforate, pierce, prick, punch, puncture, stab, stick; drive, hale, propel