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
Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 21 Aug. 2025
But after decades of closely following the rule, some states — with a nudge from the federal government — are seeking to modify if not replace it when setting guidelines for how local engineers should decide what speed limit to post.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2025
Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
In any event, this retrograde is nudging you to choose quality over quantity.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nudge
Verb
For many, those daily reminders have become a gentle nudge to listen to their bodies at a stage of life where energy can feel unpredictable.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 21 Aug. 2025
But after decades of closely following the rule, some states — with a nudge from the federal government — are seeking to modify if not replace it when setting guidelines for how local engineers should decide what speed limit to post.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2025
Noun
The housing market is considered by some a bellwether of the wider economy, and sustained difficulties have been highlighted as a critical headwind this year, one which could nudge the country closer to a downturn.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
In any event, this retrograde is nudging you to choose quality over quantity.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nudge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nudge
Verb
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Later, Teegan and Ethan reacted to the rumor, brushing it off and calling out Veronica for her behavior.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Watkin recalled colleagues laughing at the situation and brushing her off, thinking that the kindergarten student was actually a third grader due to his size.—
IndyStar,
IndyStar,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Stander and colleagues have been leading the effort and were previously urged by Florida state officials to try it.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
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Jang Dong-hyeok, chair of the main opposition People Power Party in Korea, urged President Lee on Saturday to take swift action, citing broader repercussions to other Korean businesses.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Mustafa was inside a gym talking about the Eagles’ tush push sticking around despite efforts to ban the play.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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Xi has been on a diplomatic push, following a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit with a massive military parade tomorrow, intended to showcase China’s growing heft.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ansari had about three-quarters of Being Mortal in the can when a female production assistant accused Murray of climbing on top of her in a bed and kissing her through their COVID masks.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
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The afternoons of those years wore gold like jewelry, and the sun kissed our skin as dust rose behind us in small clouds that the wind.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In interviews, real estate lawyers said that mortgage lenders are typically well aware of their clients’ other loans and sometimes even encourage the primary-residence language for second homes.—
Robert Faturechi,
ProPublica,
6 Sep. 2025
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Participants are encouraged to bring sleeping bags and food.—
Lauren Costantino
September 6,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In the meantime, the seafood-heavy menu at The Shelbourne with dishes like red prawn ceviche or roasted grouper is a great option for dinner, while poolside dining offers more casual but delicious fare like conch fritters or a jerk smash burger.—
Elliott Harrell,
Southern Living,
31 Aug. 2025
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Vendors sold spicy dishes traditional to their countries like Jamaican jerk chicken and tacos from Mexico and the not-so-spicy, like raclette, a dish traditional to Switzerland, where molten cheese from a wheel of raclette cheese is poured over potatoes and other foods.—
Dominick Williams
August 17,
Kansas City Star,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The whisky opens with the scent of dark cherries, raisins, and Brazil-nut toffee, touched with marzipan and date caramel.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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To complete the sequence, Gray returned to his love and lightly touched hands before drinking a potion to join him in eternity.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nudge. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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