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
Cruel Intentions spurred a sequel movie and a spin-off series on Amazon Prime Video. Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025 That package includes dozens of proposals to slash housing regulations, including tying some federal dollars to the progress of local governments in easing building restrictions and spurring new home construction. Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
The pool had its own spur track from the Sacramento Southern Railroad, with a sign for the pool still visible along riverfront tracks in recent decades. Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2025 Sitting atop their horses are Black men wearing hoodies and ball caps covering braids and locs paired with bootcut jeans, cowboy boots and jangling spurs. Dominick Williams august 10, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spur
Verb
  • But her athletic triumph was tragically dampened by years of abuse at the hands of her husband and coach Jim Martin, who in 2010 attempted to murder her, stabbing her many times, slicing the flesh off the bone from her leg, and shooting her.
    Esther Zuckerman, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Harrison stabs Prater with the needle and knocks the billionaire out.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Almost exactly a year ago, Glasnow’s absence provided the impetus for Roberts’ rallying cry that carried the Dodgers to October.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • That was the impetus to reimagine that story.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Podiatrists crafted them specifically to solve the lack of arch support in most shoes.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Thank you to everyone whos been showering so much love and support for the music and movie.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The deeper Acosta dug, the more concrete his convictions became about how McCarthy’s standard — both for himself and others — would raise the expectations at IMG.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Controversy erupted in 1933 over Viking’s publication of Erskine Caldwell’s fourth novel, God’s Little Acre, a story of farmers in Georgia digging futilely for gold.
    Paul Slovak September 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The projects received millions in state and local tax incentives after promising to create thousands of new jobs.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Both the Kansas and Missouri legislatures have extended the team’s incentive package deadlines to give them more time to make a decision.
    Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Stars not just in front of, but within the dusty nebula, poke through all but the densest gas.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 8 Sep. 2025
  • In July 2024, Thompson's daughter Gaia shared a cheeky post on her Instagram Stories poking fun at 2023's Barbie movie's tagline — and Thompson's ex, Kenneth Branagh.
    Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • How Resources Strengthen Innovation Across Teams Ideas need encouragement and resources.
    Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Fearing immigration consequences, the woman delayed reporting the attack but eventually came forward with a family member’s encouragement.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Armed with those reinforcements, the Phillies have operated with a certain confidence.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
  • By combining hierarchical planning, reinforcement learning, and motion data drawn from human players, the project provides a blueprint for building robots that are efficient and intuitive in their movements.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spur. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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