Synonyms of nudge

nudge 1 of 2

verb

ˈnəj 

1

as in to brush

to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing

accidentally nudged me as they squeezed past

Synonyms & Similar Words

• brush
• kiss
• touch
• shave
• skim
• caress
• graze
• pat
• bump
• scrape
• stroke
• miss
• contact
• sweep
• skip
• strike
• swipe
• bounce
• glance
• cuddle
• sideswipe
• fondle
• rebound
• love
• pet
• ricochet
• carom
• skirt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hit
• knock
• bump
• slap
• smack
• punch
• impact
• whack
• impinge
• swipe
• smash
• bang
• collide
• slam
• ram
• clash
• thud
• crash
• bash
• thwack

2

as in to urge

to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action

the car salesman nudged me into taking a test-drive, even though I had said that I was just looking

Synonyms & Similar Words

• urge
• encourage
• push
• prompt
• spur
• goad
• exhort
• prod
• coax
• egg (on)
• propel
• stimulate
• press
• provoke
• drive
• implore
• hurry
• cajole
• beseech
• rush
• importune
• pressure
• wheedle
• hustle
• needle
• incite
• nag
• stir (up)
• instigate
• foment
• adjure
• high-pressure
• blandish
• soft-soap

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourage
• deter
• check
• dissuade
• restrain
• brake
• curb
• inhibit
• constrain
• hold back

nudge

2 of 2

noun

as in push

Related Words

• push
• jerk
• jam
• shove
• jog
• stab
• stick
• punch
• jab
• dig
• lunge
• poke
• dab

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nudge

Verb

Ilya’s urging to slow down and observe the safety protocols merely result in Sam nudging him aside, along with Mira for a time. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

The blind man nudged the ferrule of his cane into the bulk of the sleeping figure, sidestepped him deftly, and moved on to the end of the block, a stoplight, heavy traffic, cyclists, big scary trucks. — Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026

Noun

Breach’s public nudge reveals the politics that could await MLB’s owners during the lockout they are expected to start in December. — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Use it, if at all, as a nudge toward the behaviors researchers already know matter. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026