goad

something that arouses action or activity the threat of skin cancer—not to mention the prospect of wrinkles—should be sufficient goad for using sunscreen Synonyms boost, encouragement, impulse, impetus, incentive, incitation, incitement, instigation, momentum, motivation, provocation, spur, stimulant, stimulus, yeastRelated Words inducement, invitation; antecedent, cause, consideration, grounds, motive, occasion, reason; catalyst, catalyzer, fuel, sparkAntonyms counterincentive, disincentive

1 to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action tried to goad me into auditioning for the play Synonyms egg (on), encourage, exhort, urge, nudge, press, prod, promptRelated Words drive, propel, spur, stimulate; hurry, hustle, push, rush; adjure, beseech, implore, importune; blandish, cajole, coax, soft-soap, wheedle; high-pressure, nag, needle, pressure; foment, incite, instigate, provoke, stir (up)Near Antonyms deter, discourage, dissuade; brake, check, constrain, curb, hold back, inhibit, restrain

2 to urge or push forward with or as if with a pointed object goading the horse forward into the stall Synonyms dig, prod, spurRelated Words chuck, jab, jog, knock, nudge, poke; bore, drill, perforate, pierce, prick, punch, puncture, stab, stick; drive, hale, propel