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
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
Their split spurs Alex’s unconventional midlife crisis, one without fancy muscle cars or a hot young babe on the arm.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2025
From this point of view, Xidan Books may seem to suffer from comparison with the Zhongshuge chain, whose outlets are drawing increasing numbers of Beijing readers thanks to interior design that catches the eye and spurs a desire to linger at length.
—Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025
Lower costs mean more supply, which in turn lowers prices and spurs more demand.
—ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2025
The kind of terrain sand spurs thrive in, especially when the grounds aren't taken care of.
—New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2025
Exercise spurs insulin sensitivity (the opposite of insulin resistance) by assisting insulin signaling in your muscles to take in glucose and use it as fuel.
—Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
While many growth factors are human-derived (which, naturally, spurs some ethical concerns), Bioeffect’s come from barley, which Brezavscek says are still effective.
—Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2025
New romantic alignments and realignments are introduced, exhaustingly, by the minute; every action spurs a symmetrical reaction, and every gag in the first half finds an inevitable callback in the second.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
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
The original system, completed in 1992, took 35 years to build but since then more segments and spurs have been added onto the network.
—Laura A. Bischoff, The Enquirer, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
Admired by friends and adored by women, his longing for love and recognition spurs him on.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
Their split spurs Alex’s unconventional midlife crisis, one without fancy muscle cars or a hot young babe on the arm.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2025
From this point of view, Xidan Books may seem to suffer from comparison with the Zhongshuge chain, whose outlets are drawing increasing numbers of Beijing readers thanks to interior design that catches the eye and spurs a desire to linger at length.
—Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025
Lower costs mean more supply, which in turn lowers prices and spurs more demand.
—ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2025
The kind of terrain sand spurs thrive in, especially when the grounds aren't taken care of.
—New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2025
Exercise spurs insulin sensitivity (the opposite of insulin resistance) by assisting insulin signaling in your muscles to take in glucose and use it as fuel.
—Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
While many growth factors are human-derived (which, naturally, spurs some ethical concerns), Bioeffect’s come from barley, which Brezavscek says are still effective.
—Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2025
New romantic alignments and realignments are introduced, exhaustingly, by the minute; every action spurs a symmetrical reaction, and every gag in the first half finds an inevitable callback in the second.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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
The original system, completed in 1992, took 35 years to build but since then more segments and spurs have been added onto the network.
—Laura A. Bischoff, The Enquirer, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurs
Verb
-
Alex breaks free and, in a panic, repeatedly stabs Evelyn with the syringe.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Spike takes one of Kelson's tranquilizer darts filled with morphine and stabs Samson in the arm with it.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
President Joe Biden's signature Inflation Reduction Act offered many incentives for the development of these alternative energy sources.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Germany scrapped incentives to boost purchases of fully electric vehicles about two years ago, a policy change that led to a sharp drop in demand for fully electric vehicles, initially.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
There are very few supports for parents from the government, and many families are isolated from extended relations and communities that might be able to offer a helping hand.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
One such community violence intervention in Chicago, called Create Real Economic Destiny, uses community organizations to identify the individuals most at risk of being involved in violent crime and recruit them to receive supports such as mental health care, mentorship, education and job training.—
NPR,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The closing scene of the trailer pokes fun at the Grammy-winning singer's dancing prowess.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The neck of his daughter's guitar pokes out above chunks of concrete.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Hints, counsels, warnings, remonstrations, even encouragements are, in the end, of limited value.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Retraced, a digital platform for supply chain transparency and compliance, has entered a strategic partnership with Db Journey as the Scandinavian luggage label braces for Europe’s digital product passport era.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Supportive footwear or braces can also be helpful, when needed.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Cristina LaRue,
Arkansas Online,
7 Nov. 2025
-
LaFreniere digs a hole to hold a pipe, places bait at the bottom, and positions the pipe near a mature tree to anchor the cable.—
Bob McNally,
Outdoor Life,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The items include bed frames, bedding, pillows, white-noise machines, area rugs, desk chairs, TVs and TV mounts.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
When staffing dips, the pressure mounts.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spurs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurs. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share