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
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Recent Examples of nudges
Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 6 May 2026
Once repair is complete, growth hormone activates a brainstem region called the locus coeruleus, which gently nudges you toward waking.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
As Benson continues asking questions about the victim, Jasmyn nudges a sign that shows her prices for autographs and pictures and says that her time is valuable.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
Team priorities could collide as the concerned Moon in your 11th House of Aspirations nudges reckless Mars in your 5th House of Risks.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
This perspective helps explain why small changes in choice environments – nudges such as placing salad bars directly in cafeteria serving lines or listing vegetarian options first on menus – can significantly shift behavior without forcing anyone to choose differently.
—Alejandro Hortal-Sánchez, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Even though those seem to be going nowhere, nudges from the likes of Sens.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 18 Mar. 2026
Commitments may need clearer promises, especially as the Moon in your tender 8th house nudges Jupiter in your busy 2nd house.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 13 Mar. 2026
Everyday exchanges feel softer as romantic Venus kisses elusive Neptune in your 3rd House of Contact, which nudges you to speak from the heart.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
The hormone, in turn, nudges the brain back toward waking once the night’s repair work is done.
—Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 6 May 2026
Once repair is complete, growth hormone activates a brainstem region called the locus coeruleus, which gently nudges you toward waking.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
As Benson continues asking questions about the victim, Jasmyn nudges a sign that shows her prices for autographs and pictures and says that her time is valuable.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
Team priorities could collide as the concerned Moon in your 11th House of Aspirations nudges reckless Mars in your 5th House of Risks.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
This perspective helps explain why small changes in choice environments – nudges such as placing salad bars directly in cafeteria serving lines or listing vegetarian options first on menus – can significantly shift behavior without forcing anyone to choose differently.
—Alejandro Hortal-Sánchez, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
Even though those seem to be going nowhere, nudges from the likes of Sens.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 18 Mar. 2026
Commitments may need clearer promises, especially as the Moon in your tender 8th house nudges Jupiter in your busy 2nd house.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 13 Mar. 2026
Everyday exchanges feel softer as romantic Venus kisses elusive Neptune in your 3rd House of Contact, which nudges you to speak from the heart.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nudges
Verb
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His son Bret recalled his father’s postgame smiles, hugs and kisses with his wife of 58 years Debbie.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
26 Apr. 2026
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Capaldi points back and the pair begin to walk towards one another before Capaldi grabs Styles' face and kisses him.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Kaaoush urges homeowners to understand insurance coverage before disaster strikes, noting that insurers are not required to proactively warn policyholders if they are underinsured.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
11 May 2026
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Letter urges reconsideration of design In a letter to church elders, Hubbard argues that newer LDS temple designs suggest tall steeples are not always necessary.—
Erin Jones,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Noun
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In 2027 and beyond, dozens of red and blue states could set off redistricting pushes of their own.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
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Expect to see more marketing pushes like this as the region charts a recovery.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tokyo Stylez, Cardi’s hairstylist, brushes out a sleek brown hairpiece, and Erika la’ pearl, her makeup artist, dabs at Cardi’s face while the rapper scrolls through her phone, controlling the music.—
Jazmine Hughes,
Allure,
24 Mar. 2026
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When some chime in to say their doctors had been cautiously optimistic about treatments, Sarah brushes that aside.—
Gerald Witt,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Responding to comments, asking for feedback, and giving shout-outs to active viewers fosters a sense of community and encourages continued engagement.—
Adam Rumanek,
Rolling Stone,
15 May 2026
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The moon in Taurus encourages you to go with the flow and stop forcing an outcome.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Here, witches are real — and so are jerks.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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This was just the beginning of us young anarchists becoming judgmental jerks.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And then there’s the partnership with music mega-star Marc Anthony, which will encompass music, lifestyle programming and long-form content that touches on fashion, hospitality and all parts of the Spanish-language media ecosystem.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
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Returning to Craigh na Dun on her own, Claire touches the center stone and is transported to 1743, three years before the Jacobite defeat.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
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Their tart stalks are staples in sweet dishes, such as pies, jams, and crumbles, but can also be used in savory dishes and even beverages.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
9 May 2026
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Mulberries are a delicious ingredient in teas, jams, wines, and more around the world.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nudges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nudges. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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