1
2
as in to urge
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
a public outcry eventually prodded the politicians into action
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in stimulus
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of prod
Graham Averill, Outside, 11 Oct. 2025
Alex Caruso was the ace in the hole, pestering and prodding Jokic to death in Game 7.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
Washington Post Editorial Board, Twin Cities, 17 Aug. 2025
Don’t the judges just parade you around, then poke, prod and grope you?
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prod
Verb
The Talons are a practical tool designed for fire management, intended for people who like to poke and prod and arrange the flame for ultimate combustibility and efficiency.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 11 Oct. 2025
Alex Caruso was the ace in the hole, pestering and prodding Jokic to death in Game 7.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
Biden used government largesse to prod companies to give special treatment to unions and minorities.
—Washington Post Editorial Board, Twin Cities, 17 Aug. 2025
Don’t the judges just parade you around, then poke, prod and grope you?
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prod
Verb
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The two-minute intro video poked gentle fun at British TV, gender politics, and artificial intelligence — and was made entirely with AI.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
11 Nov. 2025
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Shoving, tapping, poking and generally wanting to clobber the person snoring beside you doesn’t exactly put anyone in the mood for love either.—
Ian Kerner,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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During that visit, then Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo urged Francis in unusually frank terms to take concrete action.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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Sauer urged the high court to issue its ruling quickly, noting that it is currently required to use Section 32 funding to send full SNAP benefits by tonight due to McConnell’s order.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The salience network, which responds to external stimuli.—
Angelica Bottaro,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
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Without being able to compute directly from real stimuli, perceptual models could capture ideas in theory but fail simple real-world tests.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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An approach like the Western Apache’s is one that is increasingly important now, as climate change spurs warmer and drier conditions that make for more active wildfire seasons.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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That’s spurred governors from the region — including Pennsylvania’s Josh Shapiro, Illinois’ JB Pritzker and Maryland’s Wes Moore, all Democrats who are running for reelection — to pressure the grid operator PJM Interconnection to contain increases.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Her administration has encouraged the siting of data centers in Michigan through sales and use tax exemptions.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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For example, toddlers will benefit from toys that encourage them to build gross motor skills and work on early speech and literacy skills.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Recent scientific studies have found that horticultural therapy promotes creativity, self-esteem, social interaction and sensory stimulation.—
The San Diego Union Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
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Children are exposed to far more stimulation naturally from microbes than from vaccines.—
NPR,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Jared Luecke, 33, is facing murder and tampering with evidence charges and is accused of repeatedly stabbing John Luecke with a knife and hitting him with a crowbar, according to court records.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
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Hennen spent 30 months in prison for intent to distribute cocaine and was separately arrested for assault after stabbing someone.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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As part of her sweetheart deal, Joseph had to agree to a state investigation — wink wink nudge nudge.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
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Far from contemporary pop, each note and lyric demands your full attention; the reward is transcendence, even as the material nudges you to annotate like a philosophy student with a highlighter in hand.—
Thania Garcia,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prod. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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