SPUR Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

spur 1 of 2

verb

Definition of spur next

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

ˈspər

as in impetus

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

as in support

a structure that holds up or serves as a foundation for something else a weak wall that might need a spur

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Simply hearing or seeing another chimp urinate might prompt the need to pee, says Gallup, similar to how hearing running water can spur humans to hit the head. —

Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 22 Jan. 2025 The committee spurred the CDC’s recommendation for a Tdap booster during the third trimester of pregnancy, which has guarded newborn babies against whooping cough. —

Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2025

Noun

Massive trucks carrying thousands of gallons of milk bore down the narrow road, and three men dressed in full regalia used their spurs to whirl sweating horses past us at a full gallop. —

Kayla Aletha Welch, Longreads, 19 Nov. 2024 Pick them up, talk to them, wrap their feet in a towel – to protect from their sharp spurs – and put them on your hip during chores. —

Kim Campbell, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for spur

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spur

Verb

Last November, while Hart was working, a man stabbed and killed her fiancé, Antonio Young, in the lobby of the Extended Stay America hotel on Gateway Oaks Drive in South Natomas.

— Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 24 Jan. 2025
One of the guards was stabbed 12 times, and the other guard was stabbed in the back and the head.

— Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2025