goad 1 of 2

goad

2 of 2

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of goad
Noun
Defenders lather on pressure at the perimeter and goad guards into mistakes. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025 The capacity to get mad, to rise to provocation, and to strike out against insult is not just a good thing but a goad to growth. Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 3 June 2025
Verb
There are tales from Catholic high school — in which Alan Cumming has provided the voice of a disapproving priest — and from musical-theater conservatory, during which Mulvaney gently goads one of the (few) straight men in her audience to perform trans allyship by playing her crush. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025 Goldberg introduced a tactic to goad Noem, aimed at those attending the Super Bowl. Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for goad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goad
Noun
  • Feeling some heat from next door, New York sweetened its incentive package in its latest budget earlier this year.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
  • This geopolitical calculus is complicated by immediate economic incentives.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Porat closed by urging leaders to really dig in and reimagine what’s possible in their own organizations.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Anyone with information regarding this incident was urged to contact the Chandler Police Department at 480-782-4130.
    Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Trump’s tariff threats were credited with helping spur negotiations Thailand and Cambodia.
    Chris Megerian, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Panera eventually retired the item, though not immediately (a legal expert posited to CNN that doing so promptly would have read as an admission of guilt, and in turn spur reputational damage).
    Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Stamford and Columbia University have committed to research using The Pippins as the impetus, according to Chris Norton.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Part of the impetus for all these openings is the same reason Las Vegas is so primed for these restaurants in the first place.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Ultimately, the moment encouraged the Soviet population to agitate for household comforts.
    Justin Worland, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Building a bat house can encourage them to stick around a little longer and eat up all those pesky insects.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The man accused of fatally stabbing a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee on a commuter train in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on a charge that could result in the death penalty, court records show.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Mechanic Paolo Mainardi and dressmaker Antonella Migliorini were found shot and stabbed the following June.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Many social media users responded with their personal experiences and words of encouragement for Leila.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
  • There were other signs of encouragement, like Diouf and Crysencio Summerville’s left-wing partnership, plus Freddie Potts’ solid cameo appearance.
    Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Instead, the director Scott Cooper’s film turns on Landau recognizing that the tracks reflect Springsteen confronting inner darkness—including his conflicted feelings about his father and his fear of his growing fame—and nudging the musician to realize his need for further help.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Ultimately, Grapski said Praia's goal is to continue to improve nudging capabilities to get more engagement and reduce pain points across healthcare.
    Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Goad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goad. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on goad

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!