Definition of GOADED

Choose the Right Synonym for goad

Noun

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

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

Verb

The threat of legal action should goad them into complying. tried to goad me into auditioning for the play

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Stories like those emanating from San Francisco General can be powerful goads to federal lawmakers. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, "Column: How the hospital lobby derailed legislation to protect you from surprise hospital bills," 2 Aug. 2019 Their fairly gentle demeanor means handlers can manage them with verbal commands and the judicious use of goad sticks. — Denise Coffey, courant.com, "Carrying On Agricultural Traditions In Brooklyn," 17 June 2019 The largest group carried goads for their teams of working steers. — Denise Coffey, courant.com, "Carrying On Agricultural Traditions In Brooklyn," 17 June 2019 The partisan media is its instrument of choice, and the hotter a brouhaha in the news over whatever issue—taxes, entitlements, race, religion, class, trade, defense, choose your political goad—the greater the victory for Russia. — WSJ, "Russia Wanted to Disrupt U.S. and Has Succeeded," 11 June 2018 As the 30-year-old United man made his way into the stadium, a section of Liverpool fans approached him and proceeded the goad and hurl a number of verbal obscenities his way. — SI.com, "VIDEO: Section of Liverpool Fans Heckle Manchester United Star Upon Arrival at UCL Final in Kiev," 28 May 2018 So maybe biology doesn't need much of a goad to get started. — NBC News, "Simple math shows how many space aliens may be out there," 26 Jan. 2018 Setting unattainable goals doesn’t work well, but offering a reachable one can be a useful goad. — Dan Ariely, WSJ, "The Smart Way to Ask Your Friends for Money," 17 Aug. 2017 Dominus strongly implies that Carney was caving to a goad on Gelman’s blog. — Daniel Engber, Slate Magazine, "The Trials of Amy Cuddy," 19 Oct. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Pacquiao's camp sure seems to be pushing for a rematch, or at the very least goad Mayweather into one. — Matt Bonesteel, courant.com, "Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are beefing again. Will it lead to a rematch?," 24 July 2019 All but goading Republicans, the resolution included a full page of remarks by President Ronald Reagan, who is revered by the GOP. — Alan Fram, Fortune, "These Are the 4 Republicans Who Voted to Condemn Trump’s Tweets," 17 July 2019 All but goading Republicans, the resolution included a full page of remarks by President Ronald Reagan, who is revered by the GOP. — Author: Alan Fram, Darlene Superville, Anchorage Daily News, "House condemns Trump ‘racist’ tweets in extraordinary rebuke," 16 July 2019 Rocky comes back out of retirement after his adversary Apollo Creed goads him into a rematch. — Alexia Fernandez, PEOPLE.com, "Sylvester Stallone Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Rocky II: I Am 'Incredibly Grateful'," 17 June 2019 While many of his fans expressed concern in his Twitter feeds, others goaded him as if his disintegration were a part of his show. — The Washington Post, al.com, "YouTuber Etika found dead in river after cryptic video," 26 June 2019 Researchers think that dogs used this eye muscle to communicate, possibly goading people to feed or care for them — or at least take them out to play. — Fox News, "Did puppy dog eyes evolve because of humans?," 19 June 2019 The researchers believe dogs, over their relatively short 33,000 years of domestication, used this eye muscle to communicate, possibly goading people to feed or care for them — or at least take them out to play. — Washington Post, "Scientists take a peek behind those sad puppy dog eyes," 17 June 2019 The researchers believe dogs, over their relatively short 33,000 years of domestication, used this eye muscle to communicate, possibly goading people to feed or care for them — or at least take them out to play. — Jeremy Rehm, latimes.com, "Poignant puppy-dog eyes are a product of domestication, researchers say," 17 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'goad.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.