Home Synonyms spur

Synonyms of spur in English:

spur


See US English definition of spur

See UK English definition of spur

See Spanish definition of espuela

noun

1‘the outcome of the election added a further spur to the reform movement’

SYNONYMS
stimulus, incentive, encouragement, stimulant, stimulation, inducement, impetus, prod, prompt
incitement, goad
fillip
motive, motivation
informal kick up the backside, shot in the arm
ANTONYMS

disincentive, discouragement

2‘the doctor took an X-ray which showed a spur of bone on the heel’

SYNONYMS
projection, spike
protuberance, protrusion
technical process

verb

1‘the confrontation spurred him into writing a letter of resignation’

SYNONYMS
stimulate, give the incentive to, act as a incentive to, act as a stimulus to, encourage, prompt, propel, prod, induce, impel, motivate, move, galvanize, inspire, urge, drive, egg on, stir
incite, goad, provoke, prick, sting
North American informal root on, light a fire under

Phrases

    on the spur of the moment

    ‘his decision had been made on the spur of the moment’


    SYNONYMS
    impulsively, on impulse, impetuously, without thinking, without planning, without premeditation, unpremeditatedly, impromptu, spontaneously, on the spot
    suddenly, all of a sudden, unexpectedly, out of the blue