NUDGE Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

nudge 1 of 2

verb

ˈnəj

Definition of nudge

as in to brush

to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing accidentally nudged me as they squeezed past

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nudge

2 of 2

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 nudge

Verb

It has been done by attaching miniature electronic backpacks and running electrodes to the bugs’ antennae, and by having handlers wirelessly nudge them left or right. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026 Your 3rd House of Communication awakens as the intuitive Moon moves in, sharpening timing and nudging you to say what helps tasks move. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026

Noun

This Father’s Day, doctors say one of the most meaningful gifts families can give the dads in their lives is a gentle nudge to schedule potentially life-saving health screenings and routine checkups. — Nancy Badertscher, AJC.com, 18 June 2026 Creative expression gets a friendly nudge as The Love Goddess Venus highlights your 5th House of Creativity, cooperating with quirky Uranus in your 3rd House of Communication. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nudge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nudge

Verb

Temasek invested in Luckin only after the company’s legal and governance issues were resolved, Chia said, brushing off questions about a relisting, saying Luckin’s priority should be building a durable business first.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 8 July 2026
This includes washing hands, brushing teeth, and drinking, according to the city.

— Mary Ella Hastings July 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026

Definition of brush

Verb

When that didn’t change the safe call, Dalton immediately pointed to the Dodgers dugout, mask in hand urging manager Dave Roberts to challenge.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
To end the endless copying, Anthropic has joined OpenAI in urging the US to view distillation attacks as a form of intellectual property theft.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026

Definition of urge

Noun

The experience of the drink is composed, elegant even, a sophisticated push and pull subtlety and counterbalance, but the list of ingredients reads, to me, to be almost flamboyantly random.

— Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 11 July 2026
Beshear renews push for transparency Bipartisan concern has sparked calls for transparency, including from Beshear, who is calling on the senator to speak publicly about his condition.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 11 July 2026

Definition of push

Noun

Bates plans to expand that menu in the new brick-and-mortar restaurant, adding dishes like jerk catfish pasta and Louisiana Cajun cream sauce over dirty rice.

— Joey Schamber, jsonline.com, 8 July 2026
For instance, there are glazed pork belly chunks served on crispy tostones, tuna tataki with a jerk-spice rub, and a bright, citrusy conch salad.

— Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2026

Definition of jerk

Verb

Usually, this means consuming the affected food or drink directly, or touching something contaminated and then touching your mouth without washing your hands.

— Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 10 July 2026
Place a medium heatproof bowl over the saucepan, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water.

— Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of touch

Browse Nearby Words

nude

nudge

nudged

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Style

“Nudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nudge. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of nudge

verb

noun

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