1
as in incentives
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 supports
a structure that holds up or serves as a foundation for something else
a weak wall that might need a spur
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of spurs
Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
This, of course, only causes more heel-digging — nothing spurs divisiveness like a lack of clarity.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026
The letters have spurs on them, giving the font an almost country-western look.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
The Wall Street Journal reporting that there’s growing frustration with Chuck Schumer which spurs talk of replacing him.
—NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026
The move marks an effort to relieve pressure on global energy markets, as the conflict spurs major supply disruptions and sends prices soaring.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 22 Mar. 2026
And what spurs someone to not just attack innocent people, but to then make a statement of loyalty while doing so?
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026
For starters, slow running stimulates your body to make more mitochondria–the little organelles in your cells that create the energy that fuels your movements–and also spurs your existing mitochondria to grow bigger, Hamilton says.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 20 Mar. 2026
Which spurs more donations from alumni and such.
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 18 Mar. 2026
S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
As K-pop spurs franchises, copycat spinoffs and big studio blockbusters, the system that propelled K-culture’s rise could stumble if its authenticity starts to waver.
—Dan Bilefsky, HollywoodReporter, 21 Mar. 2026
Males carry venomous spurs on their hind legs.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2026
Males carry venomous spurs on their hind legs, and the animal can sense electrical signals underwater to hunt prey.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Read about Keldon Johnson, the Spurs’ sixth man who owns a ranch outside the city and wears actual spurs, and Stephon Castle, the reigning Rookie of the Year, who already, at 21 years old, owns a piece of a soccer franchise.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 16 Mar. 2026
Some say his spurs are still jingling down the hallway, chasing after her.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025
Here, gravitational tides between the galaxies pull gas out of each other, forming the bridge and associated spurs.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Skechers Hands-free Go Walk Flex-relish Slip-ins Among the thousands of reviewers are nurses, teachers, and everyday people who struggle with foot problems from spurs to plantar fasciitis—all singing the praises of these Go Walk Flex-Relish Slip-ins.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
The hormone insulin is a peptide that moves sugar from the bloodstream into cells; GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, spurs the pancreas to release insulin and slows the passage of food through the gut.
—Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
This, of course, only causes more heel-digging — nothing spurs divisiveness like a lack of clarity.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026
The letters have spurs on them, giving the font an almost country-western look.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
The Wall Street Journal reporting that there’s growing frustration with Chuck Schumer which spurs talk of replacing him.
—NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026
The move marks an effort to relieve pressure on global energy markets, as the conflict spurs major supply disruptions and sends prices soaring.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 22 Mar. 2026
And what spurs someone to not just attack innocent people, but to then make a statement of loyalty while doing so?
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026
For starters, slow running stimulates your body to make more mitochondria–the little organelles in your cells that create the energy that fuels your movements–and also spurs your existing mitochondria to grow bigger, Hamilton says.
—Jenny McCoy, SELF, 20 Mar. 2026
Which spurs more donations from alumni and such.
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
The veterinarian said there is no medical reason for the birds to have been live plucked or to have their spurs cut so short.
—S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
As K-pop spurs franchises, copycat spinoffs and big studio blockbusters, the system that propelled K-culture’s rise could stumble if its authenticity starts to waver.
—Dan Bilefsky, HollywoodReporter, 21 Mar. 2026
Males carry venomous spurs on their hind legs.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2026
Males carry venomous spurs on their hind legs, and the animal can sense electrical signals underwater to hunt prey.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Read about Keldon Johnson, the Spurs’ sixth man who owns a ranch outside the city and wears actual spurs, and Stephon Castle, the reigning Rookie of the Year, who already, at 21 years old, owns a piece of a soccer franchise.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 16 Mar. 2026
Some say his spurs are still jingling down the hallway, chasing after her.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025
Here, gravitational tides between the galaxies pull gas out of each other, forming the bridge and associated spurs.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Skechers Hands-free Go Walk Flex-relish Slip-ins Among the thousands of reviewers are nurses, teachers, and everyday people who struggle with foot problems from spurs to plantar fasciitis—all singing the praises of these Go Walk Flex-Relish Slip-ins.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurs
Verb
-
The shower curtain opens, revealing an old woman, who stabs and decapitates Mary.—
Therie Hendrey-Seabrook,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
18 Mar. 2026
-
But this person who was a friend, who owes her career to me, just stabs me in the back.—
Maer Roshan,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The abundant risks and perverse incentives of the sharenting industry have, in recent years, inspired some well-meaning legislation.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The core problem, attorney fee incentives, was left untouched.—
Tom Manzo,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Olathe Schools shifted $44 million from its general fund to cover special education costs last year — a strain the superintendent says now forces staff reductions, leading to larger class sizes and fewer supports for every student, not just those with special needs.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Students enrolled in public schools can also benefit from scholarships that help pay for tutoring, specialized services, learning technology, transportation or other educational supports.—
Claudia Nachtigal,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Your 6th House of Health takes focus with the nurturing Moon there, though Luna also pokes expensive Jupiter in your 3rd House of Distractions.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In April, ruby-red paintbrush pokes out of the ground, and in late summer, vibrant yellow rabbitbrush flowers join the mix.—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
All through the park, competitors and onlookers hit vapes and shout tips and encouragements into trees.—
Calin Van Paris,
Outside,
19 Mar. 2026
-
In October 2024 ahead of her own stay at MSG, Billie Eilish recorded encouragements to take the subways for environmental benefits.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
One look at Pacas’ fresh face, complete with a smile still full of braces, and those years may not seem so far away for this 19-year-old.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Five interchangeable tips, including two standard jet heads, an orthodontic tip ideal for braces, a periodontal jet tip that's gentle on gums, and a tongue cleaner.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Ray has been with the Panthers for three seasons, and the staff digs his ability to rotate into the front.—
Mike Kaye
March 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Recent Easter weekend shootings have thrust teen violence back into the spotlight, as pressure mounts to keep crime down ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup games, the AJC’s Riley Bunch reports.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Russia is one of the world’s main oil exporters, and Asian nations are increasingly competing for Russian crude oil as an energy crisis mounts.—
Serra Yedikardes,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurs. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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