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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of nudge
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
Snap decisions may become necessary with this Moon-Mercury conjunction in your 10th House of Motivation, nudging you to name your goal and take that next step.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026
Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
And for anyone who hasn’t picked it up yet, the casting of Dynevor might be the nudge that changes that.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nudge
Verb
The couple famously nudged the designer beyond his usual earthy minimalism, encouraging bolder, more playful touches—a shift that subtly carries through this East End retreat.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2026
Snap decisions may become necessary with this Moon-Mercury conjunction in your 10th House of Motivation, nudging you to name your goal and take that next step.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
Beller's book hinted that Hannah's stepdad may have even given them a little nudge.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
And for anyone who hasn’t picked it up yet, the casting of Dynevor might be the nudge that changes that.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nudge
Verb
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Only far Northern California is forecast to be brushed by light precipitation next week, with low odds for significant rain or snow anywhere south of Interstate 80.—
Anthony Edwards,
San Francisco Chronicle,
18 Mar. 2026
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And after rubbing it in and brushing it through, this product leaves virtually no residue or gritty feeling.—
Catharine Malzahn,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Liberal Democrat lawmaker Liam McArthur, who drew up the Scottish bill, had urged colleagues to back it.—
JILL LAWLESS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
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San Diego City Councilmember Vivian Moreno urged the city to remove his name from all city properties and holidays.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Denver made a quick 8-0 push but couldn’t sustain momentum.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Gay advocates first began the push for domestic partnerships during the AIDS crisis.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Some talk of getting off the train and kissing the earth.—
Taran Khan,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
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The Fur Ball will feature Glambot photo ops, a puppy-kissing booth, a disco dance floor, cocktails and an after-party that keeps the night going—all in support of Humane Society Silicon Valley’s mission to save and improve animal lives.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Rollicking Japanese City Pop era tunes from the ‘80s and ‘90s keep energy levels up; on Sundays, off-duty geiko or maiko may be sitting at a cozy banquette nearby—they’re given a discount to encourage a local patronage, too.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
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Looking ahead, the town is also encouraging residents to reduce water use long term by replacing traditional turf grass with more drought-resistant landscaping.—
Jamie Leary,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Take the brake-by-wire system, which blends the disc brakes’ stopping power with the 849’s regenerative braking to reduce jerk, prevent lockup, and maximize performance.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
21 Mar. 2026
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In the new sequel, Grace teams with her estranged younger sister, Faith (Kathryn Newton), as they’re hunted by four elite families full of murderous jerks scrambling to become the High Seat of a Council that controls the world.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Some people play college ball and never touch March Madness.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Mar. 2026
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Pilgrims have long journeyed here and to and other nearby sites to see and touch places associated with Jesus’ life.—
Sarah Kozlowski,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nudge. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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