Meaning & use
spur
A pointed device worn on a rider's heel to urge a horse forward, or something that encourages quick action.
See it in a sentence
The rider gently touched the horse's side with her spur to signal a faster pace.
Rising fuel costs acted as a spur for the company to invest in electric vehicles.
A note on using this word
The figurative sense of spur, meaning encouragement to act, is at least as common as the literal riding equipment.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
deterrent
Another way to use it
2. verb
To encourage or urge someone or something into action.
The coach's speech spurred the team to play harder in the second half.
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