as in incentives
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 & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in urges
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of goads
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025
Reynolds goads Miller by sending a photo of himself getting cozy with Sophia, and in a moment both lurid and laughable, the prisoner visualizes the two of them getting naked and going at it right outside the cell.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
To Robin Wright’s multimillionaire gallery owner Laura, her son’s new girlfriend is a sleazy opportunist, a gold digger who lies about her academic and professional credentials and goads Laura by going down on Daniel (Laurie Davidson) in Laura’s house with the door open.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Dawn goads Joe about Ted, suggesting that Joe’s late father, who was also sheriff, would have taken action.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025
Reynolds goads Miller by sending a photo of himself getting cozy with Sophia, and in a moment both lurid and laughable, the prisoner visualizes the two of them getting naked and going at it right outside the cell.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goads
Noun
-
Green technologies may qualify for financial incentives.—
Michaila Byrne,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
In the past few decades market mechanisms and financial incentives to address deforestation have been implemented, notably in regions with high rates of deforestation through jurisdictional REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) programs.—
Robert G. Eccles,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ultimately, Adair urges parents to discourage kids from chasing food trends.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
9 Sep. 2025
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The report also urges Canadian media to go beyond Black History Month to showcase homegrown Black talent and stories year-round, and to set goals on hiring and promoting black talent in organizations.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The video shows Zarutska sit in a seat in front of Brown, who fixates on her and after several minutes pulls out a knife and stabs her several times in the neck, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.—
Danielle Battaglia,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Harrison stabs Prater with the needle and knocks the billionaire out.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Ward and Curlee also started the app Counterbalance, which provides daily encouragements, recipes, community and more.—
Emy LaCroix,
People.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Combined, the ingredients are a powerhouse that encourages surface skin cell turnover to give complexions an overall smooth, supple appearance.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
11 Sep. 2025
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Through speculative thinking and the power of the arts, this collection encourages us to see ourselves outside of the constraints that persist today.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Exercise spurs insulin sensitivity (the opposite of insulin resistance) by assisting insulin signaling in your muscles to take in glucose and use it as fuel.—
Bryant Stamford,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Sep. 2025
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While many growth factors are human-derived (which, naturally, spurs some ethical concerns), Bioeffect’s come from barley, which Brezavscek says are still effective.—
Arden Fanning Andrews,
Vogue,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The brand’s giant green owl mascot dances badly, makes obscure pop culture references and pokes fun at the company’s push notifications.—
Leeron Walter,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Like his contemporaries, Meyers often pokes fun at the ongoing actions of the president and his administration on Late Night.—
Emlyn Travis Updated,
EW.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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What investigators conclude about Robinson’s motivations may have far-reaching consequences beyond his own criminal case.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
17 Sep. 2025
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When employers look past pedigrees and see workers’ singular abilities, histories, and motivations, skills gaps disappear.—
Ryan Stowers,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Goads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goads. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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