prodded; prodding
2
: to poke or stir as if with a prod
: to urge someone on
prodder
noun
1
: a pointed instrument used to prod
2
: an incitement to act
needed a few prods to remember her lines
chiefly Ireland, often disparaging + offensive
Examples of prod in a Sentence
Verb
She prodded him in the ribs to get his attention.
She was prodded into joining the team.
Noun (1)
She gave him a sharp prod in the back.
He picked up a stick and used it as a prod to get the donkey moving.
He needed a few prods to remember his lines.
She called me and gave me a prod about finishing the report.
Recent Examples on the Web
Time, 23 July 2025
Yet the pathway to success is littered with challenges, from high costs and complex engineering problems to the risk of earthquakes as drills prod deep into the ground.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
Lauren Wissot, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
Advertisement The most charitable interpretation of Trump’s order would be to view it as a helpful prod to ISA negotiators to come quickly to an agreement and to get an international regulatory regime off the ground.
—Time, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prod
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Verb
This prodded Americans away from the complacency of the post-war era and toward a more progressive and assertive attitude on everything from Civil Rights to scientific research.
—Time, 23 July 2025
Yet the pathway to success is littered with challenges, from high costs and complex engineering problems to the risk of earthquakes as drills prod deep into the ground.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
Noun
When battered and captured Russian tanks are lined up for display along a Kyiv street, Ukrainians gawk and prod (and punch) as if at a surreal car show.
—Lauren Wissot, IndieWire, 21 May 2025
Advertisement The most charitable interpretation of Trump’s order would be to view it as a helpful prod to ISA negotiators to come quickly to an agreement and to get an international regulatory regime off the ground.
—Time, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prod
Cite this Entry
“Prod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prod. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prod
1 of 2 verb
prodded; prodding
1
: to poke with something
2
: to stir a person or animal to action
kept prodding me to reveal the secret
prodder
noun
prod
2 of 2 noun1
: something used for prodding
2
: an act of prodding : a sharp urging or reminder
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