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
Another excavator arrived, working from a temporary construction road that stretched into the water, and nudged its bucket against the whale in an effort to jostle the animal free.
—
Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026
The Dodgers’ social media team nudged Smith out of that public shell a bit this spring, in a spot promoting his bobblehead night, in which Smith nailed a deadpan delivery and a range of facial gestures.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Ganni has historically occupied a clearly accessible contemporary positioning, but its elevation strategy has nudged it upward without fully redefining what the brand stands for.
—Maliha Shoaib, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2026
Even before the economic crisis worsened and before the wave of emigration over the past five years, Cuba was already one of the countries with the oldest populations in Latin America, a trend nudged further by high life expectancy and low birth rates.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
With limited offseason cap space around the league, Powell might need to work with the Heat on a sign-and-trade deal if he is nudged aside or chooses to move on elsewhere.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
The other man attempted to walk around the victim to get in the elevator when the victim nudged him with his laundry basket.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
The final stretch, though, was less soothing as Plourde nudged ahead to stay.
—Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
On Sunday, stops were hard to come by with Flagg scoring almost at will (14 for 27 from the field, 15 for 17 at the free-throw line), and the Lakers’ responses never nudged the needle in their favor.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026
The Dodgers’ social media team nudged Smith out of that public shell a bit this spring, in a spot promoting his bobblehead night, in which Smith nailed a deadpan delivery and a range of facial gestures.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Ganni has historically occupied a clearly accessible contemporary positioning, but its elevation strategy has nudged it upward without fully redefining what the brand stands for.
—Maliha Shoaib, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2026
Even before the economic crisis worsened and before the wave of emigration over the past five years, Cuba was already one of the countries with the oldest populations in Latin America, a trend nudged further by high life expectancy and low birth rates.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
With limited offseason cap space around the league, Powell might need to work with the Heat on a sign-and-trade deal if he is nudged aside or chooses to move on elsewhere.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
The other man attempted to walk around the victim to get in the elevator when the victim nudged him with his laundry basket.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
The final stretch, though, was less soothing as Plourde nudged ahead to stay.
—Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
On Sunday, stops were hard to come by with Flagg scoring almost at will (14 for 27 from the field, 15 for 17 at the free-throw line), and the Lakers’ responses never nudged the needle in their favor.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nudged
Verb
-
When tetraploid and diploid plants are crossed, pollen from the diploids is brushed onto the stigmas of the tetraploids.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
-
His hand brushed her thigh, her rounded belly.—
‘Pemi Aguda,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
So in August 2008, the federal government recalled the bassinets and urged families and caregivers to stop using them.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.—
Kendrick Calfee
May 7,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
On the next possession, Chen went back to the pick-and-roll again, this time getting into her defender’s body and elevating for a leaning runner that kissed the glass and rattled home.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
-
The silver Chrysler Sebring glinted when the sun kissed the parking lot in Temple, Texas, sitting by its lonesome.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Tickets are available now, and early purchase is encouraged.—
Markis Hill,
Kansas City Star,
3 May 2026
-
Those with information about Taffur’s whereabouts have been encouraged to contact the NMPD at 305-891-8111.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nudged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nudged. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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