spur

1 of 2

noun

ˈspər

: a pointed device secured to a rider's heel and used to urge on the horse

spurs plural [from the acquisition of spurs by a person achieving knighthood] : recognition and reward for achievement

won his academic spurs as the holder of a chair in a university

James Mountford

: a goad to action : stimulus

: something projecting like or suggesting a spur: such as

: a projecting root or branch of a tree, shrub, or vine

b(1)

: a stiff sharp spine (as on the wings or legs of a bird or insect)

especially : one on a cock's leg

(2)

: a gaff for a gamecock

: a hollow projecting appendage of a corolla or calyx (as in larkspur or columbine)

: bone spur

: climbing iron

: an angular projection, offshoot, or branch extending out beyond or away from a main body or formation

especially : a ridge or lesser elevation that extends laterally from a mountain or mountain range

: a railroad track that branches off from a main line

: a reinforcing buttress of masonry in a fortification

spur

2 of 2

verb

spurred; spurring

transitive verb

: to urge (a horse) on with spurs

: to incite to action or accelerated growth or development : stimulate

: to put spurs on

intransitive verb

: to spur one's horse on

Example Sentences

Noun the threat of losing its only sports franchise was the spur the city council needed to finally do something about the rising crime rate a weak wall that might need a spur Verb The reward spurred them to work harder. Lower interest rates should spur economic growth. He spurred the horse onward.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Police said the deaths of the children appeared to be premeditated and not something that occurred at the spur of a moment.

Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2022 That driver’s license, made possible by DACA, gave me the freedom to range — to head across town for dinner or take a spur-of-the-moment road trip.

Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2022 That's come up a few times when people have asked, but that was a spur-of-the-moment thing.

Hanna Flint, Men's Health, 22 Aug. 2022 The Olympic gold medalist made her flip look a spur-of-the-moment decision, but even Lee needs to do a little warming up before landing a flip like that.

Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 8 Aug. 2022 For her, a longtime resident of the state of Washington who moved to Arizona in May, voting is no spur-of-the-moment matter.

The Arizona Republic, 3 Aug. 2022 Knowing songs and performing them in the spur of the moment has been a dual focus of Watkins Family Hour since its low-key inception in 2002 at an intimate Los Angeles music venue.

George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2022 But because the spur to the inevitable climactic row occurs offstage, the conflict itself lacks dramatic weight and dynamism.

David Benedict, Variety, 25 Feb. 2022 Federici’s inquiries lead her to the limits of Marx’s thought, and those limits in turn become a spur to her own ideas.

Joanna Biggs, The New Republic, 11 Feb. 2022

Verb

Experts say the movement thrives on events that spur civil disobedience and animosity towards the government.

Will Carless, USA TODAY, 7 Sep. 2022 Because making loans less expensive would spur colleges to up their tuition rates, any zero-interest program must also contain incentives to head off that impulse, Imboden said.

BostonGlobe.com, 6 Aug. 2022 Amin wouldn't say whether there was a level of community spread or hospitalizations that would spur any kind of mandate from the city.

Brooks Sutherland, The Enquirer, 28 July 2022 The idea that an elaborate system of chicanery might spur someone to honesty seems the dramatic and theoretical center of The Rehearsal.

John Semley, The New Republic, 28 July 2022 The higher density of fires in the region caused by bird electrocutions may result from heavy spring rains, which spur the rapid growth of vegetation.

Carolyn Wilke, New York Times, 29 June 2022 There is not much, if any, convincing empirical evidence that supports the claim that reducing buybacks would spur more capital expenditure or wage increases.

Jon Hartley, National Review, 30 Aug. 2022 Saying an employee can work from anywhere, but then effectively anchoring them to an office desk because of outdated technology is a fast way to breed resentment among a workforce, which can in turn spur an increase in resignations.

Holger Reisinger, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2022 Kimberly Yox, a lawyer who represents survivors of domestic violence, said it’s ironic that Remy’s police records are now secret, since what was publicly reported about those records helped spur lawmakers to take action against domestic violence.

BostonGlobe.com, 27 Aug. 2022 See More

Kids Definition

spur 1 of 2

noun

ˈspər

: a pointed device fastened to the back of a rider's boot and used to urge a horse on

: something that makes a person want to do something : incentive

: a mass of jagged rock coming out from the side of a mountain

: a short section of railway track coming away from the main line

: a usually short pointed growth or projecting part (as a spine on the leg of a rooster)

spur

2 of 2

verb

spurred; spurring

: to urge a horse on with spurs

: incite

A promised reward spurred them to work.

spur 1 of 2

verb

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

Relevance

stab
prod
goad
dig
punch
poke
nudge
knock
propel
drive
jab
drill
pierce
bore
stick
chuck
jog
puncture
perforate
hale
prick

spur

2 of 2

noun

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

impetus
incentive
encouragement
motivation
stimulus
goad
boost
catalyst
momentum
impulse
instigation
stimulant
fuel
cause
reason
provocation
incitement
inducement
yeast
shot in the arm
incitation
spark
consideration
motive
invitation
occasion
grounds
antecedent
catalyzer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

disincentive
counterincentive

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

support
mount
shore
mounting
brace
reinforcement
prop
stay
buttress
pillar
bolster
underpinning
foundation
arch
stand
bracket
column
crutch
peg
truss
shoring
pedestal
cantilever
stake
bearing
frame
pilaster
girder
strut
post
base
stilt
stanchion

Synonym Chooser

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

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

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

buying on impulse

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

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

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

单词	spur
释义	spur 1 of 2 noun ˈspər 1 a : a pointed device secured to a rider's heel and used to urge on the horse b spurs plural [from the acquisition of spurs by a person achieving knighthood] : recognition and reward for achievement won his academic spurs as the holder of a chair in a university James Mountford 2 : a goad to action : stimulus 3 : something projecting like or suggesting a spur: such as a : a projecting root or branch of a tree, shrub, or vine b(1) : a stiff sharp spine (as on the wings or legs of a bird or insect) especially : one on a cock's leg (2) : a gaff for a gamecock c : a hollow projecting appendage of a corolla or calyx (as in larkspur or columbine) d : bone spur e : climbing iron 4 a : an angular projection, offshoot, or branch extending out beyond or away from a main body or formation especially : a ridge or lesser elevation that extends laterally from a mountain or mountain range b : a railroad track that branches off from a main line 5 : a reinforcing buttress of masonry in a fortification spur 2 of 2 verb spurred; spurring transitive verb 1 : to urge (a horse) on with spurs 2 : to incite to action or accelerated growth or development : stimulate 3 : to put spurs on intransitive verb : to spur one's horse on Phrases on the spur of the moment : on impulse : suddenly Synonyms Noun boost encouragement goad impetus impulse incentive incitation incitement instigation momentum motivation provocation stimulant stimulus yeast Verb dig goad prod See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun the threat of losing its only sports franchise was the spur the city council needed to finally do something about the rising crime rate a weak wall that might need a spur Verb The reward spurred them to work harder. Lower interest rates should spur economic growth. He spurred the horse onward. Recent Examples on the Web Noun Police said the deaths of the children appeared to be premeditated and not something that occurred at the spur of a moment. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2022 That driver’s license, made possible by DACA, gave me the freedom to range — to head across town for dinner or take a spur-of-the-moment road trip. Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2022 That's come up a few times when people have asked, but that was a spur-of-the-moment thing. Hanna Flint, Men's Health, 22 Aug. 2022 The Olympic gold medalist made her flip look a spur-of-the-moment decision, but even Lee needs to do a little warming up before landing a flip like that. Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 8 Aug. 2022 For her, a longtime resident of the state of Washington who moved to Arizona in May, voting is no spur-of-the-moment matter. The Arizona Republic, 3 Aug. 2022 Knowing songs and performing them in the spur of the moment has been a dual focus of Watkins Family Hour since its low-key inception in 2002 at an intimate Los Angeles music venue. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2022 But because the spur to the inevitable climactic row occurs offstage, the conflict itself lacks dramatic weight and dynamism. David Benedict, Variety, 25 Feb. 2022 Federici’s inquiries lead her to the limits of Marx’s thought, and those limits in turn become a spur to her own ideas. Joanna Biggs, The New Republic, 11 Feb. 2022 Verb Experts say the movement thrives on events that spur civil disobedience and animosity towards the government. Will Carless, USA TODAY, 7 Sep. 2022 Because making loans less expensive would spur colleges to up their tuition rates, any zero-interest program must also contain incentives to head off that impulse, Imboden said. BostonGlobe.com, 6 Aug. 2022 Amin wouldn't say whether there was a level of community spread or hospitalizations that would spur any kind of mandate from the city. Brooks Sutherland, The Enquirer, 28 July 2022 The idea that an elaborate system of chicanery might spur someone to honesty seems the dramatic and theoretical center of The Rehearsal. John Semley, The New Republic, 28 July 2022 The higher density of fires in the region caused by bird electrocutions may result from heavy spring rains, which spur the rapid growth of vegetation. Carolyn Wilke, New York Times, 29 June 2022 There is not much, if any, convincing empirical evidence that supports the claim that reducing buybacks would spur more capital expenditure or wage increases. Jon Hartley, National Review, 30 Aug. 2022 Saying an employee can work from anywhere, but then effectively anchoring them to an office desk because of outdated technology is a fast way to breed resentment among a workforce, which can in turn spur an increase in resignations. Holger Reisinger, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2022 Kimberly Yox, a lawyer who represents survivors of domestic violence, said it’s ironic that Remy’s police records are now secret, since what was publicly reported about those records helped spur lawmakers to take action against domestic violence. BostonGlobe.com, 27 Aug. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Noun Middle English spure, from Old English spura; akin to Old English spurnan to kick — more at spurn entry 1 First Known Use Noun before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Verb 13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1 Phrases Containing spur spur gear on the spur of the moment spur-of-the-moment bone spur spur gear on the spur of the moment spur-of-the-moment bone spur Kids Definition spur 1 of 2 noun ˈspər 1 : a pointed device fastened to the back of a rider's boot and used to urge a horse on 2 : something that makes a person want to do something : incentive 3 : a mass of jagged rock coming out from the side of a mountain 4 : a short section of railway track coming away from the main line 5 : a usually short pointed growth or projecting part (as a spine on the leg of a rooster) spur 2 of 2 verb spurred; spurring 1 : to urge a horse on with spurs 2 : incite A promised reward spurred them to work. Medical Definition spur noun ˈspər 1 : a projection from an anatomical part : calcar 2 : bone spur painful heel spurs spur 1 of 2 verb 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 Relevance stab prod goad dig punch poke nudge knock propel drive jab drill pierce bore stick chuck jog puncture perforate hale prick spur 2 of 2 noun 1 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 impetus incentive encouragement motivation stimulus goad boost catalyst momentum impulse instigation stimulant fuel cause reason provocation incitement inducement yeast shot in the arm incitation spark consideration motive invitation occasion grounds antecedent catalyzer Antonyms & Near Antonyms disincentive counterincentive 2 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 support mount shore mounting brace reinforcement prop stay buttress pillar bolster underpinning foundation arch stand bracket column crutch peg truss shoring pedestal cantilever stake bearing frame pilaster girder strut post base stilt stanchion Synonym Chooser 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 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 The meanings of impulse and spur largely overlap; however, impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution. buying on impulse 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 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 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 Phrases Containing spur on the spur of the moment on the spur of the moment
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spur

noun

verb

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing spur

Kids Definition

noun

verb

Medical Definition

noun

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Phrases Containing spur