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
Examples 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
Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
That spurs the humpbacks to lunge into the air to collect the small fish, creating the iconic imagery.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
By adopting this approach, sales leaders can create a high-performing, engaged and diverse sales team that spurs profitable revenue growth.
—Gregg Frederick, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
Combining the world’s talent and information spurs innovation in ways that benefit everyone, from AI systems that can diagnose diseases and discover new drugs to self-driving cars that can save lives on the roads.
—Lorand Laskai, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2018
Verb
Beneath southeast Iceland, a column of molten rock—known as a hot spot—spurs even more eruptions.
—Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
That spurs the humpbacks to lunge into the air to collect the small fish, creating the iconic imagery.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
By adopting this approach, sales leaders can create a high-performing, engaged and diverse sales team that spurs profitable revenue growth.
—Gregg Frederick, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
Combining the world’s talent and information spurs innovation in ways that benefit everyone, from AI systems that can diagnose diseases and discover new drugs to self-driving cars that can save lives on the roads.
—Lorand Laskai, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurs
Verb
-
But Min-su ends up hyperventilating as Nam-gyu stabs her to death anyway.Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
-
After he's caught red-handed, the pilot goes to confront him when the captain stabs him before throwing him overboard.Esther Kang, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
As external forces pull workers apart, these cultures have internal incentives and processes to preserve connection, like celebrating team wins or calling out cross-functional achievements.Gabriella Rosen Kellerman, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
-
This highlights the effectiveness of strong incentives to drive significant increases in activity.Sammy Rubin, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The post had been liked more than 30,000 times, and Ted has since appeared in by his owner that pokes fun at the candid video becoming an unexpected viral sensation.Melissa Fleur Afshar, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
-
Much of Lame's content pokes fun at life hacks, which, in his view, are baloney.Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
When your career is on the line, tension mounts.Chris Westfall, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
-
Even as the misfortune mounts, the 13-2 Lions are road favorites against the 6-9 San Francisco 49ers, who have endured a harrowing injury streak of their own.Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Williams and Snapp were residents of the Geiger Mobile Home Park in Lakeview, a village on the shores of Indian Lake.Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 23 Dec. 2024
-
After arriving in the capital, Whitehorse, begin your adventure with a visit to a remote lodge on the shores of Tagish Lake.Marc Telio, Travel + Leisure, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
One position in need of reinforcements is safety, where veteran Adrian Maddox from UAB appeared to provide a possible answer.Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2025
-
Wolves have reverted to a back three in recent weeks, increasing the need for reinforcements at centre-back during the January window.David Ornstein, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Well, 2024 seems to have been a very busy year for the OECD and the OECD inclusive framework base erosion and profit shifting in terms of implementation of these two pillars.Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
-
That vertical now generates less than 40% of Authentic’s SI revenue thanks to the growth of other pillars.Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Bollards – short, stout columns of metal or concrete used as street barriers – were being replaced on Bourbon Street ahead of the Super Bowl in February.George Petras, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025
-
Reading one of his columns, Avery had a question about the internet.Aaron Gilbreath, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near spurs
Cite this Entry
“Spurs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurs. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share