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
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Recent Examples of nudged
Trump’s meeting with President Xi may present an opportunity for Beijing to be quietly nudged into action over the Middle East conflict.
—
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Later, when the oldest hit her mid-teens and eventually went off to college, the two boys were nudged into leadership roles of their own and nominally put in charge of the youngest kid, a sister.
—Andre Mouchard, Daily News, 9 May 2026
Hawkers hitched boxes higher and nudged each other to behold the spirited pregnant woman.
—‘pemi Aguda, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
Traffic in the strait nudged upward Friday, when 19 vessels crossed, and then declined over the weekend, according to data from S&P Global.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 4 May 2026
Matheus Cunha nudged United in front in the sixth minute; seven minutes later, and Sesko bundled the ball in for United’s second.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 3 May 2026
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
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Later, when the oldest hit her mid-teens and eventually went off to college, the two boys were nudged into leadership roles of their own and nominally put in charge of the youngest kid, a sister.
—Andre Mouchard, Daily News, 9 May 2026
Hawkers hitched boxes higher and nudged each other to behold the spirited pregnant woman.
—‘pemi Aguda, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
Traffic in the strait nudged upward Friday, when 19 vessels crossed, and then declined over the weekend, according to data from S&P Global.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 4 May 2026
Matheus Cunha nudged United in front in the sixth minute; seven minutes later, and Sesko bundled the ball in for United’s second.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 3 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nudged
Verb
-
Remember, if your refrigerator has brushed stainless steel, always wipe in the direction of the grain for the cleanest finish.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
14 May 2026
-
Additional layers are applied to fill gaps and create a smooth surface before a final coat of lacquer is brushed on.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The report also notes that 10 Republican state attorneys general have urged the SEC to closely examine OpenAI’s disclosures ahead of a potential public offering, while Congress has separately requested information about the company’s safeguards around conflicts of interest.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
-
Residents were urged to use caution when walking, biking or recreating nearby, particularly during the early morning and evening hours when mountain lions are most active.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The man kissed and touched his neck and rubbed his genitals against Gilboa-Dalal.—
Matt Bradley,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
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The audience began to cheer, and then, with no hard feelings, the two kissed and made up.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Jimenez’s ‘Si Senor’ song was belted out at regular intervals and fans would have been encouraged to hear the Mexican, speaking after the game, open up the prospect of a return to Wolves when his Fulham contract expires this summer.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
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Matching the anything-goes vibe that flows through the resort, the breezy restaurant pavilion is merely a suggestion—ordering lunch or dinner to your private terrace, a candlelit table on the beach, or one of the dozen-or-so secret seating nooks scattered around the property is actively encouraged.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nudged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nudged. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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