goad

1 of 2

verb

ˈgōd 

goaded; goading; goads

transitive verb

1

: to incite or rouse as if with a goad (see goad entry 2 sense 2a)

was goaded into fighting with another player

2

: to drive (an animal) with a goad (see goad entry 2 sense 1)

goad

2 of 2

noun

1

: a pointed rod used to urge on an animal

2

a

: something that urges or stimulates into action : spur

The accident has been a goad to the company to improve its safety record.

b

: something that pains as if by pricking : thorn

Synonyms

Verb

• urge
• encourage
• nudge

Noun

• incentive
• impetus
• encouragement
• stimulus
• motivation

Choose the Right Synonym for goad

motive, impulse, incentive, inducement, spur, goad mean a stimulus to action.

motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.

a motive for the crime

impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

buying on impulse

incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.

a bonus was offered as an incentive

inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.

offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.

fear was a spur to action

goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.

thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

Examples of goad in a Sentence

Verb

The threat of legal action should goad them into complying.

tried to goad me into auditioning for the play

Noun

The threat of legal action is a powerful goad to companies that have ignored the regulations.

the threat of skin cancer—not to mention the prospect of wrinkles—should be sufficient goad for using sunscreen

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

As Vallejos pulled ahead thanks to his striking combinations and power, which left Silva looking to goad him into an ugly slugfest, which Vallejos mostly avoided sticking to his game plan of using combinations to take advantage of Silva’s lack of defense. —Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025

Guthrie, her fiancé, took to casually goading Loeb about how Twysden now spurned him, while Loeb accepted the insults with a stoic passivity, mooning over Twysden, the others felt, like a lovesick puppy. —Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025

Noun

As Phillips, Seth K Hale is impresario, goad and narrator — and for good measure, often contributes harmony vocals. —Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Defenders lather on pressure at the perimeter and goad guards into mistakes. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English gode, from Old English gād spear, goad; akin to Langobardic gaida spear, and perhaps to Sanskrit hinoti he urges on

First Known Use

Verb

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for goad

• blowed
• bode
• code
• crowed
• flowed
• glowed
• growed
• knowed
• load
• lode
• lowed
• mode

Kids Definition

goad

noun

ˈgōd

1

: a pointed rod used to urge an animal on

2

: something that urges : spur

goad verb