1
as in brushed
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 urged
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 nudged
Much weakened, Iran might be nudged to engage in dialogue to avoid further loss in the war.
—
Debidatta A. Mahapatra, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Many are concerned that there is insufficient understanding of how to ensure it cannot be misused by bad actors or nudged to go rogue.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Even with those levies, China nudged a record trade surplus last year by pivoting to other markets.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
Approaching the steep dropoff of the overflowing dam, the barge was instead nudged into a nearby edge of shore, where a crane lifted the booms in two-piece sections onto land.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Mar. 2026
In December, the Bay Area added 2,300 jobs of all types, an increase that was nudged along by a gain of 1,800 tech jobs in the South Bay.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
Locked in a fight for minutes all year long, Walter has clearly nudged ahead of Dick as the first wing off the bench.
—Eric Koreen, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Just like a stationary pendulum, when nudged, returns to its stationary state, a quantum system, too, when disturbed, returns to its balanced state.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Feb. 2026
Since January, the stock market has nudged upward.
—Ben Weiss, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Debidatta A. Mahapatra, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026
Many are concerned that there is insufficient understanding of how to ensure it cannot be misused by bad actors or nudged to go rogue.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Even with those levies, China nudged a record trade surplus last year by pivoting to other markets.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
Approaching the steep dropoff of the overflowing dam, the barge was instead nudged into a nearby edge of shore, where a crane lifted the booms in two-piece sections onto land.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Mar. 2026
In December, the Bay Area added 2,300 jobs of all types, an increase that was nudged along by a gain of 1,800 tech jobs in the South Bay.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
Locked in a fight for minutes all year long, Walter has clearly nudged ahead of Dick as the first wing off the bench.
—Eric Koreen, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Just like a stationary pendulum, when nudged, returns to its stationary state, a quantum system, too, when disturbed, returns to its balanced state.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Feb. 2026
Since January, the stock market has nudged upward.
—Ben Weiss, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nudged
Verb
-
With masses of snow white flower clusters brushed in soft pink accents, White Blush adds a touch of elegance to any planting.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
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The worker, according to a lawsuit, brushed ashes with a bare hand into what appeared to be a plastic sandwich bag, without labeling the bag or marking where the sample came from within the Altadena house.—
Tony Saavedra,
Daily News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Al Olszewski, a former state senator who is running for Zinke's seat, accused both Daines and Zinke of betraying the people of Montana and urged voters to reject their handpicked successors.—
MATTHEW BROWN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
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The authors, who include veterinarians, researchers and wildlife biologists, urged physicians and other healthcare workers in the region to consider lungworm infection when patients come in with nervous system disorders.—
Susanne Rust
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Spurs were kissed on the cheek by the lottery gods.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
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Physical contact alleged The suit also alleges Post hugged and kissed the teen at school and later lured the student into her car, where the assaults occurred.—
Giles Hudson,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Slusser alleged Kress is the one who encouraged her to live in that apartment.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
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While Red States are generally supportive of immigration crackdowns, Blue States enacted sanctuary laws that encouraged undocumented migrants to concentrate in their cities despite being a clear violation of the Constitution.—
Doug McIntyre,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nudged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nudged. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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