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
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Recent Examples of nudge
John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Juvenile whales gently nudged the calf and kept it close to the mother.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026
Claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
With their blissful harmonies and flowery, mystical lyrics, the Texas duo embodied soft rock, ushering in the genre at the dawn of the Seventies with a gentle nudge and a tip of Seals’ signature newsboy cap.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nudge
Verb
While the trend mirrors a wider national slump in EV sales, some experts expressed optimism this week that the rising price of gasoline — driven by the ongoing war in Iran — could begin to nudge drivers back towards electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Juvenile whales gently nudged the calf and kept it close to the mother.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
The Towson location’s approach—pairing a behavioral nudge with a small reward—has turned a routine fast-food visit into a conversation about habits many people share.
—Claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
With their blissful harmonies and flowery, mystical lyrics, the Texas duo embodied soft rock, ushering in the genre at the dawn of the Seventies with a gentle nudge and a tip of Seals’ signature newsboy cap.
—Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nudge
Verb
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The twisted ponytail was paired with a new set of long, feathery bangs, which Kidman wore brushed across her forehead and gently winged out near her temples for more texture and movement.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
9 Apr. 2026
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Stir together 1/4 cup of the reserved cola mixture and remaining 1/4 cup bourbon in a small bowl, then brush evenly over warm cake.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In recent weeks, a growing number of business leaders in Russia have voiced concern about the sweeping restrictions and urged authorities to take a more moderate approach.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Destiny calls loudly as passionate Mars charges into your 9th House of Distance, urging you to attempt things that are literally or metaphorically far from your comfort zone.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Smooth push and pull design so it can be steered like a stroller or pulled like a wagon depending on the situation.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Wednesday marked the final home game of the regular season for the Magic as the team continues to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Carpenter wears a men’s suit jacket and squeezes Cline’s butt, and the girls kiss their own reflections.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2026
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Following his address Sunday, Leo stood atop the popemobile waving to crowd and kissing the foreheads of babies and young children as he was carried around Vatican City, with thousands of people cheering and waving flags from all over the world.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Fans are encouraged to line up on South University Drive outside the President's House, west to the Student Union, and south down State Street to Yost Ice Arena.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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The Live Local Act, a state law passed in 2023 to encourage developers to build more affordable housing, is the key driving the redesign of the faded mall that gained new owners in September 2025.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Dear Jay Norvell, try not to be a complete @#$&%# jerk.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
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Dishes like jerk chicken and rice and beans cooked in coconut milk reflect the region’s deep Jamaican and British colonial influences that are distinctive from other parts of Costa Rica.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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All the trembling, as Kimbangu touched the sick, alarmed European settlers and reassured the plantation workers who trekked to Nkamba in search of healing.—
Rodney Muhumuza,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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No private debt collector can touch your wages or your bank account without first winning in court.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nudge. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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