spur
Translation
to spur, to stimulate, to encourage, to prompt
Examples
Lower interest rates should spur economic growth.
Lower interest rates should spur economic growth.
His comments spurred me into action.
His comments spurred me into action.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to spur ((sth.)) to encourage an activity or development Lower interest rates should spur economic growth.
((sb./sth.)) to spur ((sb.)) ((into sth.)) to encourage someone to do something His comments spurred me into action.
Similar Words
Synonyms: encourage, stimulate, prompt; Antonyms: discourage, deter
Etymology
From Old English 'spura', the name for the device worn on a rider's heel to urge a horse on.
Memory Tips
Picture a rider using 'spurs' to make a horse go faster. This is the core image for encouraging something.