as in incentive
something that arouses action or activity
the threat of skin cancer—not to mention the prospect of wrinkles—should be sufficient goad for using sunscreen
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to urge
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
tried to goad me into auditioning for the play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of goad
Kathryn Vanarendonk,
Vulture,
3 Dec. 2025
As if a primetime showdown between two of the biggest draws on the dial weren’t already a sufficient goad to get fannies on living room sofas, NBC’s NFL game features Micah Parsons in his first run-in with the team that traded him exactly one month ago.
—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
But the Stars should be trying to goad the Wild into foolish penalties.
—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for goad
Noun
The catchphrase is also a goad.
—
Kathryn Vanarendonk,
Vulture,
3 Dec. 2025
As if a primetime showdown between two of the biggest draws on the dial weren’t already a sufficient goad to get fannies on living room sofas, NBC’s NFL game features Micah Parsons in his first run-in with the team that traded him exactly one month ago.
—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
When the referee went down, Sikoa slid a chair in and tried to goad Keys into using it.
—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
But the Stars should be trying to goad the Wild into foolish penalties.
—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for goad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goad
Noun
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And given that such systems are physically possible, powerful economic and strategic incentives exist for technologists and entrepreneurs to build them.
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The money is an incentive granted by the city after working more than 20 years to attract a builder with a project appropriate for the property, which was cleared decades earlier for redevelopment.
Verb
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Rodríguez also said the country’s entire public and private healthcare network had been activated to treat the injured, urging doctors, nurses and other medical personnel to report immediately to their workplaces.
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Weber copped to working with the Wu administration to craft his $8-9 million amendment package, which Wu’s chief financial officer urged the Council to accept without additional amendments to avoid layoffs and loss of revenue.
Verb
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The 74-year-old Weinstein, meanwhile, reported chest pains during jury deliberations in the most recent trial, spurring another early end to court.
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The popularity of the London films has spurred viewing and rewatching of the Spanish movies that went before.
Noun
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The analysts said recent talks between Japan and the Philippines over overlapping claims in their exclusive economic zones east of Taiwan may have been the impetus for the MSA mission east of Tawain.
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The impetus behind launching its agentic commerce platform lies in the changes in how consumers shop.
Verb
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Rissetto encourages her patients to cut back on alcoholic beverages.
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Israel has historically negotiated with Palestinian militant groups to exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners and detainees even as critics warned the practice could encourage more kidnappings.
Verb
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After Emii’s killing, Bland stabbed and attempted to shoot herself but was unable to because of the extent of her injuries, Handfield said, after the voices in her head were giving her those commands.
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If you are stabbed in the neck outside a LA restaurant, pray Amy Adams is dining at the same establishment.
Noun
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To his family, Clive was Dad and Granddaddy, the steady presence at the center of our lives, the source of wisdom, strength, encouragement, and unconditional love.
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Moreover, what moves women forward is action rather than encouragement.
Verb
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And researchers aren’t even sure cloud seeding is the right technology to physically nudge weather systems.
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Mora picked the ball up on halfway and just kept on motoring forward, moving towards two runners on the right, eventually nudging the ball through for Jorge Sanchez, who bundled the ball across for Quinones to finish.
Cite this Entry
“Goad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goad. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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