spur 1 of 2

as in to stab
to urge or push forward with or as if with a pointed object gently spurred the horse with his heels

Synonyms & Similar Words

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spur

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun spur contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of spur are goad, impulse, incentive, inducement, and motive. While all these words mean "a stimulus to action," spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.

fear was a spur to action

In what contexts can goad take the place of spur?

While the synonyms goad and spur are close in meaning, goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.

thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

When might impulse be a better fit than spur?

The meanings of impulse and spur largely overlap; however, impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

buying on impulse

When could incentive be used to replace spur?

Although the words incentive and spur have much in common, incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.

a bonus was offered as an incentive

When can inducement be used instead of spur?

While in some cases nearly identical to spur, inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.

offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

Where would motive be a reasonable alternative to spur?

The words motive and spur can be used in similar contexts, but motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.

a motive for the crime

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 spur
Verb
Federal tax incentives, as well as a desire to maintain the loyalty of their professional and blue-collar workers alike, spurred companies and other employers to offer private health insurance as a standard benefit. Ben Zdencanovic, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2025 Merz seized on his election victory to pass the reform, spurred on by fears sweeping Europe over the Trump administration’s apparent wavering on security commitments to allies. Sebastian Shukla, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
Out sprawled a wild sea of glass eyes, silver spurs and mystery elixirs locked into filmy jars. Sara Georgini, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025 Technically called a nectar spur, the tube funnels sugary liquid to pollinators who can reach it, and this new species has one that's over a foot long. Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for spur
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spur
Verb
  • The rookie hero, opening beer bottles with his eye socket, pulling out his own tooth with pliers, and being stabbed by a fan in Mexico wielding a pen, made news everywhere.
    Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Police said the victim got into an argument with four teen boys and was then stabbed.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Despite this impetus for change, progress remains slow given the potential rewards.
    Ozan Ozerk, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • After Thursday’s performance, where Postecoglou’s best-available line-up seemed to find the magic of Ange-ball once again, a flat first half and eventual defeat delivered by a side propped up by fringe players killed that impetus again.
    Elias Burke, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • His administration has threatened steep tariffs on French exports, including wine and champagne, and has criticized EU leaders over defense spending and support for Ukraine.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
  • This feature will be launching soon in Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish in most countries with AI Overview support.
    Samuel Axon, ArsTechnica, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans.
    Brenda Looper, arkansasonline.com, 17 Mar. 2025
  • In the 1830s, Irish laborers dug the Illinois & Michigan Canal, settling in a spot once called Hardscrabble, which became the South Side’s Bridgeport neighborhood.
    Robert Loerzel, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The contract, Schefter said, could be worth up to $7 million with incentives.
    Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Europe and China both have incentives to step up, for different reasons and with different priorities.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Mary Fowler momentarily looks down and holds up a very neat yellow square of knitting to the camera, two wooden needles poking out either side.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
  • During the incident, Konig also allegedly attempted to poke the woman with two syringes, Hawaii News Now reported, citing law enforcement sources.
    Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • After encouragement from several key players in conversations over the winter, Baldelli implemented the idea this spring.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
  • With encouragement from her daughter, Hannah (played by Abby Ryder Fortson), Maggie embarks on a journey of self-discovery, ultimately learning to love herself and to treat those around her with greater kindness.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • By engaging employees in the process of creating their own learning plans and using them as a guideline for managing that person, managers establish a cycle of positive reinforcement that has tangible benefits.
    Bruce Tulgan, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Turing Award: The award, often called the Nobel Prize of computing, was given to Andrew Barto and Richard Sutton, the developers of a technique called reinforcement learning that is vital to chatbots.
    Eli Tan, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spur. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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