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
Didi Tang, Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026
Manufacturers, which benefit the most from the reserve, are making a long-term financial commitment, Jovanovic said, while the government loan spurs private investments.
—Didi Tang, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
The bank’s president and chairman, John Jovanovic, told CNBC that manufacturers, which benefit the most from the reserve, are making a long-term financial commitment, while the government loan spurs private investments.
—Didi Tang, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Friends and colleagues who once argued that war never spurs meaningful change now advocate for it.
—Omid Memarian, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
Harvesting the flowers spurs the plant to produce more flower buds, so pick them frequently.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2026
This spurs serious head-scratching, that’s for sure.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Those spurs make flowers and fruits.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2025
That investment also spurs innovation in new treatments for conditions such as cancer, heart disease and obesity, Kaestner said.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 20 Nov. 2025
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
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
The bank's president and chairman, John Jovanovic, told CNBC that manufacturers, which benefit the most from the reserve, are making a long-term financial commitment, while the government loan spurs private investments.
—Didi Tang, Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026
Manufacturers, which benefit the most from the reserve, are making a long-term financial commitment, Jovanovic said, while the government loan spurs private investments.
—Didi Tang, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
The bank’s president and chairman, John Jovanovic, told CNBC that manufacturers, which benefit the most from the reserve, are making a long-term financial commitment, while the government loan spurs private investments.
—Didi Tang, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Friends and colleagues who once argued that war never spurs meaningful change now advocate for it.
—Omid Memarian, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
Harvesting the flowers spurs the plant to produce more flower buds, so pick them frequently.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2026
This spurs serious head-scratching, that’s for sure.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Those spurs make flowers and fruits.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2025
That investment also spurs innovation in new treatments for conditions such as cancer, heart disease and obesity, Kaestner said.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 20 Nov. 2025
Noun
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
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
-
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
-
Milo tries to be a hero, trying to use pepper spray on Morgan, but Morgan stabs and kills him.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The new contract was richer, filled with all sorts of incentives … and also for a very long time.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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To be eligible for the Spirit Awards, a movie's budget cannot exceed $30 million after tax incentives.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
LeBaron Moten, District 60’s deputy superintendent for operational supports and programs, or Eduardo Cesario, the deputy superintendent for academic supports and programs, will soon give their recommendations to Superintendent Theresa Plascencia for final consideration.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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In January, Provost William Inboden eliminated 23 staff positions within UT’s Academic Affairs office, shuttering key supports for faculty teaching, undergraduate research, community engagement and advising.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Amazon also strikes a nerve with an ad starring Chris Hemsworth that pokes fun of people’s fears of AI.—
Dee-Ann Durbin,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Cucurella lands on the rebound and pokes in.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
-
The rebar inside looked like rusted braces without teeth.—
Danielle Paquette The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
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The results point to a future where things like knee braces, exoskeletons, or even joint replacements could be tailored to an individual’s exact joint motion.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Pressure mounts from the publisher Walter Nash (Sweeney) and Senator Conrad (Doyle), a political operative attempting to steer the narrative toward fear, control, and propaganda.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2026
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The pressure to keep exile concealed—to keep it invisible—mounts when disclosing the reasons motivating the journey would put travelers at risk.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurs. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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