1
as in to brush
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing
accidentally nudged me as they squeezed past
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to urge
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
the car salesman nudged me into taking a test-drive, even though I had said that I was just looking
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of nudge
Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 14 Sep. 2025
The sandwich technique Start with praise, add the nudge, close with encouragement.
—Dr. Sue Varma, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2025
So if Netflix stock is up 1% and Apple is down 1%, that will nudge the S&P 500 down.
—Alex Mayyasi, NPR, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nudge
Verb
Combined with the Virgo eclipse on the 21st, this is your cosmic nudge to get real about your wellness routines.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 14 Sep. 2025
The sandwich technique Start with praise, add the nudge, close with encouragement.
—Dr. Sue Varma, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
Governments and agencies are underwriting technology development and buying small initial quantities, partly to nudge the market and spur technical readiness.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2025
So if Netflix stock is up 1% and Apple is down 1%, that will nudge the S&P 500 down.
—Alex Mayyasi, NPR, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nudge
Verb
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The vintage shoes are displayed against the backdrop of Xavier Feal’s brushed steel shelves and Vincent Darré’s pink geometric Labyrinth carpet.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
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An increase in sunlight, together with the pressure drop, confirmed that the robot had crossed the eyewall and brushed the eye itself.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Film data researcher and consultant Stephen Follows urged the industry to remain vigilant.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Sep. 2025
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In the days following Kirk's death, high-profile conservative accounts circulated screenshots of controversial remarks and urged for employers to fire the posters.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While the majority of commentary online seemed to take Thug’s move as a misstep, there’s an undertone to the cover that at once acknowledges the current moment’s eerie push toward white nationalism while skewering the concept on its face.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
26 Sep. 2025
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Students from the kingdom are increasingly turning away from US universities in particular, put off by a mix of hostile immigration policies, concerns over gun violence, and the kingdom’s own push to grow its domestic education sector.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Instead, a cop climbed on stage, knelt, and kissed the flag.—
Nick Spicer,
NPR,
1 Oct. 2025
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As the applause continued, Clooney kissed his wife Amal, who looked emotional in her seat just behind him.—
Jen Juneau,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The resort's Star Camp kids club encourages youngsters to be stewards of the land and sea, emphasizing sustainable initiatives such as recycling and ocean ecology.—
Allison Tibaldi,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
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In honor of their service and selfness, Hobbs has ordered all state buildings to be at half-staff the days of their burials and encourages individuals, organizations and businesses to participate in the tribute.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Saddled with an uninteresting jerk half the time and a muzzled non-entity the other half, there’s only a handful of moments in the first six episodes where Powell’s star power shines through.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
29 Sep. 2025
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For a taste of the Caribbean, head to Kingston Kitchen at the Village Inn, where chef Shawn Fearon serves the flavors of his native Jamaica—oxtail, jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish, curried goat, and the best whitefish sandwich on the island.—
Christine Chitnis,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Yet if Love’s last pass had stayed in the air a tick longer, the owner’s feet, at least in a metaphorical sense, may not have touched the ground for a long, long time.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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The eye mask is offered in seven colors, feels cool to touch, and is machine washable for easy care.—
L. Daniela Alvarez,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nudge. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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