SPURS Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

spurs 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of spur

as in stabs

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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spurs

2 of 2

noun

plural of spur

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

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

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 spurs

Verb

Supporters point to consistent growth in America’s technology sector as proof that employing foreign skilled workers spurs overall productivity, and is a net benefit to the American economy. — Laina Gustafson, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Oct. 2026 The climate pattern typically emerges every two to seven years and is marked by the heating of ocean waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, which spurs changes in the atmosphere that can affect weather around the world. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 Also, reducing gas taxes only spurs demand without increasing supply, which can end up raising prices, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026 Lizzie’s romance with Sullivan, for which there is no evidence, is what spurs her to kill Andrew and Abby in Evan Hunter’s 1984 novel Lizzie. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026 Briogeo Destined for Density Serum The Briogeo Destined for Density Serum is a lightweight liquid formula that thickens feeble strands, plumps roots, and rapidly spurs new hair growth. — Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 17 Sep. 2026 This, together with the execution of Lyanna’s father and oldest brother by Rhaegar’s father, the titular Mad King Aerys II, spurs Lyanna’s betrothed, Robert Baratheon (Callum Woodhouse), to move against Aerys. — Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026 Thoughtful design elements appear everywhere, from the art and photography collection that spurs conversation to the living room ambiance of the main lounge. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026 This tender novel of intimacy and its risks begins in Boston in 1969, as Eve, a dancer, commences an affair with a colleague—an indiscretion that spurs her husband, a journalist named Gabe, to cheat, too. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Noun

Plus, according to the brand, podiatrists recommend them for people with plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and other common foot, ankle, and knee issues. — Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2026 It’s called the Golden Spurs Award — given annually to the Campbell family member who shoots the turkey with the biggest spurs. — Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 The researchers observed bends, wiggles, kinks, gaps, branches, spurs and clumps. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026 One exhibit brings together the then-future president’s buckskin jacket and pants, his rifle, Tiffany knife, his spurs, and his branding irons. — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 2 July 2026 But aside from gifting Zane with spurs, Beth’s more or less a spectator through all of the Jackson family drama. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 19 June 2026 Yeezy works into the evening, hacking at jagged spurs of plastic and tapping away with a special brass gunsmith’s hammer. — Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2026 Gold and silver metallic tones can also be used to evoke the look of belt buckles, spurs, and other metallic accessories. — Elle Turner, Glamour, 31 May 2026 Spain’s Rif War, where future Spanish dictator Francisco Franco won his spurs, served as a crucible for the values and military tactics of the 1936-39 Spanish Civil War where Franco treated his Republican enemy with the same humanity dealt out to Rif inhabitants. — John Hopewell, Variety, 12 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurs

Verb

The sequence culminates in the Great Hall, where Ned kicks part of his broken cane to Colum, who stabs MacKinney in the leg.

— Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
But before Bane can finish him off, Batman stabs a Batarang into a little knob on Bane’s wrist gauntlet, the one that controls his intake of Venom.

— Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of stabs

Noun

Commercial incentives persist Koh said shipping companies around the world have continued looking for opportunities to navigate the Strait since the conflict erupted, with some operators prepared to accept higher risks and costs.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
These changes would reduce costs, free up management bandwidth and improve IPO formation incentives.

— Jeff Jacobs, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of incentives

Noun

Whatever marks that remain after pulling the supports away and curing the parts are easily ground or sanded away.

— Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
The mural is painted directly onto the building’s walls, ceiling, and structural supports, so the art literally comes with the listing (or vice versa).

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of supports

Noun

Many folks send encouragements toward OP mom and her son, while others put heat on the other parents for sexualizing their kids’ friendship.

— DeVonne Goode, Parents, 26 July 2026
All through the park, competitors and onlookers hit vapes and shout tips and encouragements into trees.

— Calin Van Paris, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026

Definition of encouragements

Noun

Strnad keeps thumb braces in the case because the training staff would occasionally accidentally throw them out while cleaning the locker room.

— Sam Jane, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2026
Shelton, 23, has become a regular at Washington Spirit games, watching Rodman score braces against Seattle Reign last September and Houston Dash in July.

— Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of braces

Verb

Women's Boxer Briefs & Bralettes Say goodbye to uncomfortable underwear that digs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Beachfront digs along its roughly 550 square miles of water are coveted, naturally, but those with grand scale and architectural distinction are even rarer.

— Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of digs

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spurring

spurs

spurt

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Style

“Spurs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurs. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of spurs

verb

noun

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