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
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 spurs
Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
That spurs the humpbacks to lunge into the air to collect the small fish, creating the iconic imagery.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
By adopting this approach, sales leaders can create a high-performing, engaged and diverse sales team that spurs profitable revenue growth.
—Gregg Frederick, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
Combining the world’s talent and information spurs innovation in ways that benefit everyone, from AI systems that can diagnose diseases and discover new drugs to self-driving cars that can save lives on the roads.
—Lorand Laskai, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2018
Verb
Beneath southeast Iceland, a column of molten rock—known as a hot spot—spurs even more eruptions.
—Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
That spurs the humpbacks to lunge into the air to collect the small fish, creating the iconic imagery.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
By adopting this approach, sales leaders can create a high-performing, engaged and diverse sales team that spurs profitable revenue growth.
—Gregg Frederick, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
Combining the world’s talent and information spurs innovation in ways that benefit everyone, from AI systems that can diagnose diseases and discover new drugs to self-driving cars that can save lives on the roads.
—Lorand Laskai, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurs
Verb
-
But Min-su ends up hyperventilating as Nam-gyu stabs her to death anyway.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
26 Dec. 2024
-
After he's caught red-handed, the pilot goes to confront him when the captain stabs him before throwing him overboard.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
26 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The financial incentives can quell those concerns.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2025
-
About $600,000 will go toward the incentives.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The series pokes fun at musical tropes and also has hilarious songs of its own.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
23 Mar. 2025
-
During anagen, the hair follicle will produce a new shaft–the part of the follicle that pokes above the skin.—
RJ Mackenzie,
Popular Science,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Neck tension from improper monitor height may be resolved with adaptable screen mounts.—
Arpit Jain,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
-
But the growing proportion of civilian-style vehicles in the wreckage of Russia’s 37-month wider war on Ukraine doesn’t mean there are fewer Russian tanks and fighting vehicles—the traditional mounts for mechanized troops—along the 700-mile front line.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Williams and Snapp were residents of the Geiger Mobile Home Park in Lakeview, a village on the shores of Indian Lake.—
Chad Murphy,
The Enquirer,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Advertisement High, strong breaking waves 30 to 40 feet high were expected to hit the shores of the area Monday, according to the National Weather Service.—
Salvador Hernandez,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
One position in need of reinforcements is safety, where veteran Adrian Maddox from UAB appeared to provide a possible answer.—
Edgar Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2025
-
Wolves have reverted to a back three in recent weeks, increasing the need for reinforcements at centre-back during the January window.—
David Ornstein,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Gather a collection of pillars and tapers for a vintage look, and place a few candles around your bath for an authentic medieval experience.—
Maggie Gillette,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Federal resources are one of the main pillars of support for colleges and universities, explains Derrick Anderson, senior vice president of the Education Futures initiative at the American Council on Education (ACE).—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Bollards – short, stout columns of metal or concrete used as street barriers – were being replaced on Bourbon Street ahead of the Super Bowl in February.—
George Petras,
USA TODAY,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Reading one of his columns, Avery had a question about the internet.—
Aaron Gilbreath,
SPIN,
31 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Spurs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurs. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share