1
as in kisses
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 urges
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 nudges
Aislyn Greene, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025
His arrival stirs faint whispers under the Song statues and quietly nudges Hongmei’s buried past toward the surface.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025
One nudges the instructor, who is talking to a walk-in at the front desk.
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Loneliness is the healthy emotion that nudges us to get off the couch and go be with people.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Starbucks, for example, nudges users toward loading funds onto a digital gift card by offering more rewards.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Question marks and nudges to explain.
—Jane Ciabattari
august 19, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
Jeanroy squats down, nudges Taïga aside, and starts digging with a cavadou—a sort of pick that resembles a very scary dental tool.
—Aislyn Greene, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025
His arrival stirs faint whispers under the Song statues and quietly nudges Hongmei’s buried past toward the surface.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025
One nudges the instructor, who is talking to a walk-in at the front desk.
—Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Loneliness is the healthy emotion that nudges us to get off the couch and go be with people.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Starbucks, for example, nudges users toward loading funds onto a digital gift card by offering more rewards.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Question marks and nudges to explain.
—Jane Ciabattari
august 19, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nudges
Verb
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In the photo shared on Instagram, Jack Nicholson lies in bed while Keaton, who's wearing rollers in her hair, kisses him on the cheek.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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Happier, at least initially, is Captain Olivia Walker (Rebecca Ferguson), who kisses her husband and young son goodbye before heading off to work at the White House.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Whatever happens, Goelman urges parents not to let one challenging online incident define your teen or your parenting journey.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The service urges folks to protect tender plants from the cold.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Even after trading Devers, Boston reportedly made pushes to add another high-quality starting pitcher behind Garrett Crochet, but ultimately was not able to get a deal done before the deadline.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
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At the same time, Skattebo, the battering ram personified, pushes and plows through defenders, injecting energy into the Giants and their fans.—
Charlotte Carroll,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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If the doctor brushes you off or looks at their watch, get a new doctor!—
Kat McGowan,
NPR,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Continue reading … NO LAUGHING MATTER – White House brushes off SNL season premiere, calling show 'waste' of time.—
,
FOXNews.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For holidays that are primarily observed in the United States, Tillery encourages travelers to look beyond domestic trips.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 Oct. 2025
-
In general, the State Department encourages all Americans who travel abroad to sign up for its free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before any international trip.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Because even in a world of monsters, ghouls, and greedy jerks, the good guys still prevail.—
Gwen Ihnat,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
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But note that Bill and Ted aren’t jerks — watch Excellent Adventure now and you’ll be struck by how incredibly sunny its humor is.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Unlike the forefoot that touches the ground only with its hooves, the hind feet have a fleshy heel pad behind the hooves.—
Abhishek Bhardwaj,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
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This question touches the very heart of the film.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Country Store sells a collection of fall decorating items, delicious jams, jellies and honey, farm toys and more, while concessions classics like BBQ and hamburgers plus fall favorites like pumpkin fudge and funnel cakes can be found at the Food Depot.—
Katie Nixon,
Nashville Tennessean,
22 Oct. 2025
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Opt for lower-sugar jellies and jams to complete your flavor combo.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nudges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nudges. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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