Spur — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈspər/

Meaning & Definition of Spur

Spur (noun)

  1. a pointed device secured to a rider's heel and used to urge on the horse
  2. recognition and reward for achievement
  3. a goad to action, stimulus

Spur (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

Spur (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to urge or push forward with or as if with a pointed object

    "gently spurred the horse with his heels"

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

Spur (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

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

  2. a structure that holds up or serves as a foundation for something else

    "a weak wall that might need a spur"

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

Related Entry: Spur-of-the-moment (adjective)

Spur-of-the-moment is a different word from Spur. The synonyms below are for spur-of-the-moment, not for spur.

  1. made or done without previous thought or preparation

    "a spur-of-the-moment trip to the zoo"

    similar: ad hoc, ad-lib, down and dirty, extemporaneous, extemporary, extempore, impromptu, improvisational, improvised, off-the-cuff, offhand, offhanded, snap, unconsidered, unplanned, unpremeditated, unprepared, unrehearsed, unstudied
    related: unscripted, automatic, impulsive, instinctive, involuntary, spontaneous, casual, cursive, informal, unauthorized, half-baked, half-cocked, ill-advised
    opposite: considered, planned, premeditated, premeditative, prepared, rehearsed
    near: deliberate, intended, intentional

Related Entry: On the spur of the moment (phrase)

On the spur of the moment is a different word from Spur. The synonyms below are for on the spur of the moment, not for spur.

  1. with excessive or careless speed

    "They decided on the spur of the moment to fly to Paris."

    similar: cursorily, hastily, headlong, hotfoot, hurriedly, pell-mell, precipitately, precipitously, rashly
    related: headfirst, headily, hotheadedly, impatiently, impetuously, impulsively, recklessly, thoughtlessly, automatically, glancingly, haphazardly, impromptu, spontaneously, abruptly, suddenly, offhand, offhandedly
    opposite: deliberately, studiedly
    near: calculatingly, circumspectly, designedly, falteringly, haltingly, hesitantly, hesitatingly, tentatively, leisurely, slowly

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Spur

The most common words with a similar meaning to Spur:

dig, goad, prod, boost, encouragement, impetus, impulse, incentive, incitation, incitement, instigation, momentum, motivation, provocation, stimulant, stimulus, yeast, brace, buttress, mount, mounting, prop, reinforcement, shore, stay, support, underpinning, shot in the arm

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Spur

Words with the opposite meaning of Spur:

counterincentive, disincentive

Related Words for Spur

chuck, jab, jog, knock, nudge, poke, bore, drill, perforate, pierce, prick, punch, puncture, stab, stick, drive, hale, propel, inducement, invitation, antecedent, cause, consideration, grounds, motive, occasion, reason, catalyst, catalyzer, fuel

Word Forms of Spur

Inflections: spurred, spurring

Origin & Etymology of Spur

Middle English spure, from Old English spura; akin to Old English spurnan to kick spurn:1

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Spur

spur gear, spur-of-the-moment, bone spur, on the spur of the moment

Frequently Asked Questions about Spur

What does "Spur" mean?

"Spur" means a pointed device secured to a rider's heel and used to urge on the horse. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a pointed device secured to a rider's heel and used to urge on the horse. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Spur"?

Other words for "Spur" include dig, goad, prod, boost, encouragement, impetus, impulse and incentive. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Spur" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Spur"?

There are 82 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Spur". Common alternatives include dig, goad, prod, boost, encouragement, impetus, impulse, incentive, incitation and incitement.

What is the opposite of "Spur"?

Antonyms of "Spur" include counterincentive and disincentive.

How do you use "Spur" in a sentence?

Examples of "Spur" in a sentence: "gently spurred the horse with his heels"; "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".

Is "Spur" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Spur" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Spur"?

"Spur" is pronounced /ˈspər/.

What is the origin of the word "Spur"?

"Spur" comes from Middle English spure, from Old English spura; akin to Old English spurnan to kick spurn:1. First known use: before 12th century.