Showing results for spurs.

spurs

NOUN

incitement, stimulus

Synonyms

STRONG

activation actuation catalyst excitant goad goose impetus impulse incentive incitation inducement motivation motive needle prick stimulant trigger turn-on urge

Antonyms

STRONG

block deterrent discouragement hindrance prevention

WEAK

curb

VERB

incite, prompt

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arouse drive propel push spark stimulate stir trigger

STRONG

animate awaken countenance exhort favor goad goose impel instigate press prick prod rally rouse sic urge

WEAK

egg on fire up key up put up to turn on work up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm check discourage dissuade halt repress stop

STRONG

deaden

WEAK

disapprove

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He avoided the Vietnam War draft with four student deferments and one medical deferment for bone spurs.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

The economy lacks other spurs to goad it into faster growth.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

For officials who see inflation drifting up, it is difficult to justify rate cuts if they also believe rates are already at a neutral level that neither spurs nor slows growth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Does he return to more established names and combinations in the hope that the sting of being dropped spurs them on to a better performance in Paris on Saturday?

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

But in their whispered exchanges in the zeppelin, he’d explained about the power of his poison spurs: he couldn’t go on using them continually, because with each sting, the venom weakened.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman