spur

n

1. rowel, goad, prick, point, prod.

2. stimulus, stimulant, incentive, fillip, provocative, motive; jolt, jog, poke, lash, whip; incitement, inducement, instigation, encouragement, abetment, provocation, egging on, putting up to; dare, taunt, gibe.

3.Ornithology. horny process, horn, promontory, knob, gnarl, knot.

4. spike, prong, tooth, gaff, spit, cusp, tip; tine, spine, quill, barb, barbule, barblet, prickle, nib, neb, spicule.

5. shoot, scion, spear, stem, twig, branch, stunted branch, ramification; snag, projection, burgeon, bud, sprout.

6. on the spur of the moment impulsively, impetuously, precipitately, without thinking, unthinkingly, thoughtlessly, recklessly, rashly, brashly, incautiously, headlong, pell-mell, helter-skelter; suddenly, all of a sudden, abruptly, unexpectedly, out of the blue, without warning, all at once, slap, Inf. slap-bang. v.

7. prick, poke, stick, goad, prod, prompt, thrust, jog, jolt; push, drive, press, propel, hound, whip, lash, flog; speed, speed up, accelerate, hurry, hasten, quicken, Obs. festinate.

8. incite, provoke, actuate, instigate, set in motion, look for trouble Inf. start something; foment, agitate, excite, arouse, rouse, whip up, work up, stir up, wind up, inflame, enflame, kindle, touch off; stimulate, animate, whet, reanimate, enliven, liven up, vivify, bestir; boost, embolden, build up; encourage, egg on, urge on.

9. wound, strike, cut, lacerate, gash, slash, slice; pierce, puncture, stab, lancinate, spike, spit, impale, penetrate, slit.

10. gallop, race, sprint, whisk, bolt, dart, fly, post, dash, clap spurs, ride hard, tear along, cover ground, burn up the road, fly like or race with the wind.

11. make haste, proceed hurriedly, make strides or rapid strides, make time, open up Inf. move out; press forward, press on, push on, carry on, plunge ahead.