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
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Recent Examples of spurs
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
Lauren the assembly line worker spurs Charlie to action.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026
My boredom typically spurs feelings of frustration, guilt, shame—and long nutritionless spells of goggling, slack-jawed, at celebrity news on my phone while the world throbs around me.
—Daniel Smith, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026
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
Prairie View Ranch in Morgan County CBS She recently sponsored a bill to help local governments fund the Arkansas Valley Conduit water pipeline, a 130-mile pipeline with spurs that would serve 39 communities and 50,000 people east of Pueblo.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 10 Jan. 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 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
Lauren the assembly line worker spurs Charlie to action.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026
My boredom typically spurs feelings of frustration, guilt, shame—and long nutritionless spells of goggling, slack-jawed, at celebrity news on my phone while the world throbs around me.
—Daniel Smith, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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
Prairie View Ranch in Morgan County CBS She recently sponsored a bill to help local governments fund the Arkansas Valley Conduit water pipeline, a 130-mile pipeline with spurs that would serve 39 communities and 50,000 people east of Pueblo.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 10 Jan. 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
-
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
-
Bautista stabs and shoots his assailants in an operatic eruption of violence that is done in a single, extended shot.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some have looked to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority’s development arm for incentives.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
For brands, variable changes tied to product design and material choices could create financial incentives to reduce environmental impact.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Family caregivers usually provide long-term services and supports, nearly all of which are unpaid, the research found.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The nurturing Moon pokes Mars today, drawing attention to your 2nd House of Objects and your 11th House of Groups.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
24 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
-
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
-
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The announcement comes as pressure from customers and consumer advocates mounts on technology companies to cover rising energy costs tied to the AI infrastructure boom.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The officers have a shift schedule in place and a vet on standby to make sure their mounts don’t overheat.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurs. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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