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goad

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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
Their plot thickens when Davis goads Staten into taking a swing at him. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025 As a goad to European diplomacy, talk of arming Ukraine turned out not to be a bad idea. Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2015
Verb
And there is an incentive to goad the client into an unfavorable plea bargain. Robert Greene, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025 Democrats are already trying to goad him into a larger public-facing role for a reason. Hannah Parry barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for goad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goad
Noun
  • Companies can offer discounts or incentives to customers to try to entice them to buy trips or vacations.
    Corina Vanek, AZCentral.com, 7 July 2025
  • The bill eliminates critical renewable energy incentives, redirects funding toward fossil fuels and nuclear power, and dismantles key progressive priorities of the Biden administration.
    Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Please contact your members of Congress and urge them to support ongoing U.S. investments in foreign assistance.
    Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • While no human cases have been reported, the city is fogging affected areas and urging residents to take precautions.
    Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • This demand is spurring a recalibration within the entertainment industry, shifting the focus from providing more content to more personalized entertainment experiences.
    Jon Kirchner, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Long Island Mall Chaos Naturally, Bieber’s success was spurred by a devoted and intense fanbase of young girls.
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Israel’s contention that Iran would soon be able to build a nuclear weapon was the impetus for the conflict, which began with Israel Defense Forces strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and against Iran’s military and nuclear program scientists on the night of June 12-13.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 24 June 2025
  • Tyler Grill said the festival has brought nearly 100,000 people in the city, which was the impetus for starting an annual festival in Bushnell Park.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • Popular online influencers with millions of followers have encouraged Holocaust denial.
    Tom Dreisbach, NPR, 30 June 2025
  • The return of blue-book exams might disadvantage students who were encouraged to master typing at a young age.
    Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Police are investigating after three people were stabbed at a beach in New London on Sunday.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025
  • In 2010, a kayaker in the Florida Keys had her lung punctured when a fish leapt out of the water and stabbed her in the back.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • While some commenters noted the mistake, many offered support and encouragement.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
  • However, Bird only came out in 2017, after the encouragement of Rapinoe.
    Grace Jordan-Weinstein, People.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • The staff also nudged them to members of O’Hara’s social and artistic world, including the artist Nell Blaine and the poet Kenneth Koch.
    Brian Schaefer July 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 2025
  • Meanwhile, condos nudged down the average with a value drop of less than 1% countywide.
    Douglas Hanks July 5, Miami Herald, 5 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Goad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goad. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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