1
as in urging
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
tried to goad me into auditioning for the play
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in poking
to urge or push forward with or as if with a pointed object
goading the horse forward into the stall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of goading
His Dahl is constantly goading people, driving them right up to the edge of their tolerance.
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
So, does Roan deserve all the credit for softening the nature of these carpets, where dozens of photographers gather to scream goading or even offensive remarks at talent just to get their attention?
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 12 Mar. 2026
Reporters looking to stir up trouble in the press room were goading American players, particularly those with foreign-sounding last names.
—Beth Herman, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Julian and Neil take to goading and championing the understandably hangdog Matt.
—Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
Agents made several arrests in supermarket parking lots and at tamale stands while goading angry residents who confronted them and threatening to unleash tear gas.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
The mind thrills to imagine a genderless prophet among the brocades and buckskin breeches of Revolutionary America, weirding out the normies, sticking a flower in the barrel of a musket, and goading the new nation to let its hair down—literally.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Anthropic’s Claude wanted to know whether my headache was tension-related, due to sinus pressure, or something else entirely—hardly a goading question.
—Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2025
Christiaan Verbeek’s score is highly effective, ranging from ominous passages propelled by drums and goading percussion to turbulent strings steadily cranked up in intensity.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
So, does Roan deserve all the credit for softening the nature of these carpets, where dozens of photographers gather to scream goading or even offensive remarks at talent just to get their attention?
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 12 Mar. 2026
Reporters looking to stir up trouble in the press room were goading American players, particularly those with foreign-sounding last names.
—Beth Herman, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Julian and Neil take to goading and championing the understandably hangdog Matt.
—Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
Agents made several arrests in supermarket parking lots and at tamale stands while goading angry residents who confronted them and threatening to unleash tear gas.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
The mind thrills to imagine a genderless prophet among the brocades and buckskin breeches of Revolutionary America, weirding out the normies, sticking a flower in the barrel of a musket, and goading the new nation to let its hair down—literally.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Anthropic’s Claude wanted to know whether my headache was tension-related, due to sinus pressure, or something else entirely—hardly a goading question.
—Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2025
Christiaan Verbeek’s score is highly effective, ranging from ominous passages propelled by drums and goading percussion to turbulent strings steadily cranked up in intensity.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goading
Verb
-
On a recent episode, Amanda, Ciara and West all go out to lunch and Amanda is almost urging Ciara and West on.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
10 June 2026
-
Hinton said her group is urging the governor and the Legislature to fully fund the program, whether from the state’s general fund or another source.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Pulisic, the American star who is under intense pressure to perform in this tournament, set up the goal, pushing the ball between a pair of defenders before poking it on for McKennie in the center of the box.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
-
As the miles dragged on, a chase vehicle crept by periodically with cameras poking out the window to capture scenes that could later be shared on social media, where Emanuel now has an almost daily presence.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
That is why some of the city’s most promising ideas involve encouraging investment while preserving character.—
Sarah M. Boye,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2026
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Grinberg now shares her experience online to raise awareness about lung cancer in younger patients and never-smokers, while encouraging others to trust themselves when something doesn't feel right.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
In the 21st century, Carson remains a cultural touchstone, not only spurring generations of people in the global environmental movement but also inspiring a deep well of nature writing and thinking as a result of her works on the sea.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
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Similar charges were leveled against several other rival candidates ahead of the election, spurring accusations of authoritarianism and corruption against Pashinyan’s government.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2026
Verb
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As evening begins, the moody Moon in Aquarius forms an easy sextile with healing Chiron, nudging supportive conversations within groups and wider circles.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 2026
-
Summer in New York has a way of nudging even my all-black wardrobe in a more colorful direction, inspiring me to experiment with brighter shades—if only on my nails (which, in my book, absolutely counts as a pop of color).—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Be careful prodding Beth about Jamie, Beulah!—
William Earl,
Variety,
12 June 2026
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The Spanish international might have scored on his comeback, prodding an instinctive effort over the bar from close range.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Concerns about light rail safety in Charlotte remain after the August stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska on a light rail train.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
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On Tuesday, Anthony was found guilty by a Texas jury in the 2025 stabbing death of Austin Metcalf at a track meet.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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In extreme cases, like intentionally punching another player, a referee can go straight to a red card and eject a player from the match.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
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Former Broncos outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite is no longer facing misdemeanor charges for allegedly punching a Denver Police officer in 2024 at Denver International Airport, but the officer is still suing him over the incident.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Goading.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goading. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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