nudge 1 of 2

verb

ˈnəj How to pronounce nudge (audio)
Definition of nudgenext
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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nudge

2 of 2

noun

as in push

Related Words

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
Learning Activity Ideas Check out a how-to book from the library and nudge your kid to learn the following. — Michelle Crouch, Parents, 14 Aug. 2026 Expect a hard credit check, which may temporarily nudge your score down by a few points. — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
At that year’s San Diego Comic-Con, Lincoln confirmed the news after a little nudge from comic creator Robert Kirkman. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026 Depending on the context, these suggestions can be as subtle as presenting one piece of artwork before another on a digital guide or as explicit as generating a push notification or other nudge. — Mureji Fatunde-Iloeje, ArsTechnica, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for nudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nudge
  1. brush
  2. urge
  3. push
  4. kiss
  5. encourage
  6. jerk
  7. touch
Verb
  • If additional hold is needed, Marjan recommends spraying Paul Mitchell Firm Hold Super Clean Extra Hairspray on the roots and brushing back before wrapping a second elastic around everything.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 21 Aug. 2026
  • As for the trade talk, Vea brushed it aside as part of the business.
    — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of brush
Verb
  • In the filing, the Justice Department urged the appeals court to reverse the Tennessee federal judge’s ruling dismissing criminal charges against Abrego Garcia.
    — Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Anyone who can provide a tip in connection with Standish is urged to call 651-438-8477 or fill out a form on the sheriff's office website.
    — Nicholas Lentz, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of urge
Noun
  • Nashville strengthened its push for the Supporters’ Shield and extended its lead to 5 points over Inter Miami on a night Lionel Messi again failed to convert a penalty.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • While the White House hoped to remove Díaz-Canel and the Castro family from power, the push has been complicated by the lack of a credible opposition since revolutionary brothers Fidel and Raúl overthrew the island’s military dictatorship in 1959.
    — Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of push
Verb
  • Bear then passionately kisses Nikki, but soon collapses from the overdose and dies.
    — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The hearty meat is just barely kissed with a bit of mayo; enough to give it some zing but not overpower the meat.
    — Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of kiss
Verb
  • While the colors blend in with the landscape and may draw your eye outside, the rooms also encourage procrastinating.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Lee told the Queen that her husband’s candidness has encouraged many to feel more comfortable with their own cancer journeys.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of encourage
Noun
  • In Show Must Go On, the comedian embraces his own compassion by pretending to be a jerk.
    — Britina Cheng, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
  • That screwed up the works / And not due to his sloppy hiring / Of a crew of incompetent jerks.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • Onstage at the event, Bratt touched on the new movie’s storyline.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The recall announcement directed consumers to wash and sanitize any containers that may have come into contact with the affected product, and wash and sanitize hands and utensils that may have touched the product.
    — Mason Leib, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of touch

Browse Nearby Words

nude
nudge
nudged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nudge. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on nudge

Nglish: Translation of nudge for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All