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
Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 2 June 2026
Then Charlotte’s decision to sell their late father’s robotics company—and with it, beings like Cy—spurs Grayson into action, stealing the flash drive with all the company secrets and towing Cy along on his attempt at a corporate takeover.
—Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
The per-unit tax abatement program spurs the production of affordable housing without direct public subsidy.
—Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
His incarceration doesn't last long, though, because a taunting serial killer spurs a prison break.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
Weather impacts of super El Niños El Niño spurs a broad range of weather impacts across the globe, including in parts of the United States.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 15 May 2026
What few efforts do exist to address alcohol’s harms have been overshadowed by the opioid crisis, a parallel drug epidemic that attracts more funding, spurs more policy change, and garners more media attention despite being vastly less deadly.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 12 May 2026
The Handling Speciale, at least on paper, only spurs that sentiment on.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2026
Any diamond spurs questions about its carat size, which experts believe can be anywhere between five and 10 carats.
—Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Elle Turner, Glamour, 31 May 2026
Spain’s Rif War, where future Spanish dictator Francisco Franco won his spurs, served as a crucible for the values and military tactics of the 1936-39 Spanish Civil War where Franco treated his Republican enemy with the same humanity dealt out to Rif inhabitants.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 12 May 2026
Columbine is an early-season bloomer with nectar-rich spurs, giving your garden a head start in spring.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Pairing it with columbine, an early-season bloomer with nectar-rich spurs, ensures your garden has food available from the start.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026
Columbine — An early-season bloomer with nectar-rich spurs, perfect for getting hummingbird activity started in spring.
—Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
But the immune system has sensed that something is wrong, and spurs a more brute force reaction.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 2 June 2026
Then Charlotte’s decision to sell their late father’s robotics company—and with it, beings like Cy—spurs Grayson into action, stealing the flash drive with all the company secrets and towing Cy along on his attempt at a corporate takeover.
—Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
The per-unit tax abatement program spurs the production of affordable housing without direct public subsidy.
—Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
His incarceration doesn't last long, though, because a taunting serial killer spurs a prison break.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
Weather impacts of super El Niños El Niño spurs a broad range of weather impacts across the globe, including in parts of the United States.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 15 May 2026
What few efforts do exist to address alcohol’s harms have been overshadowed by the opioid crisis, a parallel drug epidemic that attracts more funding, spurs more policy change, and garners more media attention despite being vastly less deadly.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 12 May 2026
The Handling Speciale, at least on paper, only spurs that sentiment on.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2026
Any diamond spurs questions about its carat size, which experts believe can be anywhere between five and 10 carats.
—Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
Gold and silver metallic tones can also be used to evoke the look of belt buckles, spurs, and other metallic accessories.
—Elle Turner, Glamour, 31 May 2026
Spain’s Rif War, where future Spanish dictator Francisco Franco won his spurs, served as a crucible for the values and military tactics of the 1936-39 Spanish Civil War where Franco treated his Republican enemy with the same humanity dealt out to Rif inhabitants.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 12 May 2026
Columbine is an early-season bloomer with nectar-rich spurs, giving your garden a head start in spring.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Pairing it with columbine, an early-season bloomer with nectar-rich spurs, ensures your garden has food available from the start.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026
Columbine — An early-season bloomer with nectar-rich spurs, perfect for getting hummingbird activity started in spring.
—Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurs
Verb
-
His right-hand man, Bishop, pulls an Iago on him and stabs him in the back by emptying his bullets.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
1 June 2026
-
The shower curtain opens, revealing an old woman, who stabs and decapitates Mary.—
Therie Hendrey-Seabrook,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Economic incentives help explain why.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
-
Dubai’s residential property prices surged by roughly 60% between 2022 and early 2025–a historic boom fueled by tax-free incentives, liberalized visa policies, and a heavy influx of high-net-worth individuals.—
Melissa Hancock,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
In another Amsterdam photo, a pair of identical world globes, recalling Ghirri’s passion for cartography and atlases, rest on matching supports to conjure that oldest of surrealist tropes, a pair of staring eyes.—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
During the restoration assessment process, experts and conservators have discovered corrosion affecting some internal metal supports beneath the fiberglass exterior.—
Brian Unger,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander apparently isn’t amused by a new board game that pokes fun at the Oklahoma City Thunder star’s reputation for garnering foul calls at the hint of contact by an opposing player.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
Kym is the family fuckup and a guilty party to its biggest tragedy but also constantly pokes the bear as its selfish verbal assassin.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 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
-
The Sunrise Rotary Club in Stillwater this weekend will be collecting mobility devices, such as crutches, walkers, braces and wheelchairs to send to people in need in Mexico.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
1 June 2026
-
So good that Vianello, who has recovered from two dislocated knees, wasn’t wearing any braces.—
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Alex Thomas,
Arkansas Online,
4 June 2026
-
If your everyday bra is worn out, replace it with this scalloped bra that provides padded support — without uncomfortable underwire that digs and pokes.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The jets have six underwing mounts for bombs or rockets as well as a 25-millimeter cannon that can fire 300 rounds, according to the Wings Over the Rockies aviation museum.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
Its staff on Wednesday hoisted the cannons, weighing up to 1500 pounds (680 kilograms) apiece, onto custom display mounts that staffers likened to giant wine racks.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurs. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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