goad 1 of 2

goad

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun goad contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of goad are impulse, incentive, inducement, motive, and spur. While all these words mean "a stimulus to action," goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire.

thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency

In what contexts can impulse take the place of goad?

The synonyms impulse and goad are sometimes interchangeable, but impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution.

buying on impulse

When can incentive be used instead of goad?

While the synonyms incentive and goad are close in meaning, incentive applies to an external influence (such as an expected reward) inciting to action.

a bonus was offered as an incentive

When is it sensible to use inducement instead of goad?

While in some cases nearly identical to goad, inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another.

offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe

Where would motive be a reasonable alternative to goad?

The words motive and goad can be used in similar contexts, but motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act.

a motive for the crime

When might spur be a better fit than goad?

The meanings of spur and goad largely overlap; however, spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor.

fear was a spur to action

Examples of goad in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
For countless emerging artists, many of whom have become marquee names, Satter has been a guide, a sounding board and a goad at the most vulnerable moments in their careers, counseling them not just in how to make their films better, but in how best to get them in front of audiences. Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 Barbershops always seem to have one performer, a customer or a barber who likes to stir the pot, encourage fiery disagreement or goad discord about sports, music or dating. Jennifer Medina, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2024
Verb
Authentic leaders don’t blow up when goaded by a trigger. Kathy Miller Perkins, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024 The problem is that even if generative AI is wrong about the answer, a chain-of-thought that appears to support and shore up the wrong answer is going to goad and lure people into accepting the wrong answer. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for goad 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'goad.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near goad

Cite this Entry

“Goad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goad. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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