Synonyms of nudges

nudges 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of nudge

1

as in kisses

to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing

accidentally nudged me as they squeezed past

Synonyms & Similar Words

• kisses
• brushes
• touches
• caresses
• skims
• shaves
• grazes
• pats
• misses
• scrapes
• sweeps
• bumps
• strokes
• swipes
• skips
• contacts
• glances
• strikes
• bounces
• cuddles
• fondles
• sideswipes
• rebounds
• loves
• ricochets
• caroms
• pets
• skirts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hits
• slaps
• knocks
• smacks
• impacts
• impinges
• slams
• punches
• whacks
• bumps
• smashes
• swipes
• collides
• crashes
• rams
• bangs
• clashes
• thwacks
• thuds
• bashes

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• urges
• encourages
• prompts
• pushes
• prods
• exhorts
• goads
• coaxes
• spurs
• eggs (on)
• propels
• presses
• stimulates
• provokes
• drives
• hurries
• implores
• cajoles
• beseeches
• rushes
• pressures
• hustles
• wheedles
• importunes
• nags
• incites
• adjures
• instigates
• stirs (up)
• foments
• high-pressures
• needles
• blandishes
• soft-soaps

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourages
• deters
• brakes
• dissuades
• inhibits
• curbs
• checks
• restrains
• constrains
• holds back

nudges

2 of 2

noun

plural of nudge

as in pushes

Related Words

• pushes
• jerks
• sticks
• jams
• shoves
• jogs
• punches
• stabs
• digs
• jabs
• lunges
• dabs
• pokes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nudges

Verb

Medicare surcharges are triggered by hard income thresholds assessed on a two-year lookback, and a conversion that nudges an individual a single dollar over a bracket can raise premiums for a full year. — Dana Dunkelberger, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Sangare probably nudges playmaker Mathias Jensen out of the starting XI to line up alongside Yehor Yarmoliuk and Mikkel Damsgaard. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Everything about Anna Maria Island nudges you toward taking a deep breath and surrendering to the calm of vacation. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 28 July 2026

If a kid’s activity, date, hobby, or creative plan nudges the budget, set a clear ceiling first. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026

Cost per wear nudges you toward fewer regrets at the register and a closet that earns its keep. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026

One gallery features a towering tree with a grinning Cheshire Cat tucked among vibrant begonias and unusual foliage, while other spaces are filled with whimsical topiary creatures, fountains and playful signage that nudges guests deeper into Wonderland. — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 25 June 2026

An intuitive Moon crosses your 10th House of Career while Saturn, planet of lessons, rests in your 5th House of Creativity, and their quincunx nudges you to refine spotlight plans with care. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026

Upcoming inflation and jobs reports carry outsized weight, too, since each release nudges investor expectations about where the Fed heads next. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 June 2026