1
as in brushing
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing
accidentally nudged me as they squeezed past
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in urging
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nudging
Where’s this rising courage nudging you to act bigger and bolder?
—
Usa Today, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Instead, the director Scott Cooper’s film turns on Landau recognizing that the tracks reflect Springsteen confronting inner darkness—including his conflicted feelings about his father and his fear of his growing fame—and nudging the musician to realize his need for further help.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
Ultimately, Grapski said Praia's goal is to continue to improve nudging capabilities to get more engagement and reduce pain points across healthcare.
—Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
My grandma gave my brother and I each a budget to work within, often nudging us to pool our resources and work together to find the perfect gift for each parent.
—Katherine Polcari, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
The scores reflected the judges' differing opinions, with Hough downgrading from his eight of last week to a score of seven and Inaba nudging up to an eight.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
As the new month begins on October 1st, Juno enters Sagittarius and lights up your communication and curiosity sector, nudging you to speak from your gut instead of your script.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Sep. 2025
Douthat talks to a wide range of guests, nudging them toward unexpectedly cosmic discussions of good and evil and the future of humanity.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Think of it like a dimmer switch for your brain, nudging you towards sleep rather than forcing it.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 25 Sep. 2025
Usa Today, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Instead, the director Scott Cooper’s film turns on Landau recognizing that the tracks reflect Springsteen confronting inner darkness—including his conflicted feelings about his father and his fear of his growing fame—and nudging the musician to realize his need for further help.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
Ultimately, Grapski said Praia's goal is to continue to improve nudging capabilities to get more engagement and reduce pain points across healthcare.
—Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
My grandma gave my brother and I each a budget to work within, often nudging us to pool our resources and work together to find the perfect gift for each parent.
—Katherine Polcari, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
The scores reflected the judges' differing opinions, with Hough downgrading from his eight of last week to a score of seven and Inaba nudging up to an eight.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
As the new month begins on October 1st, Juno enters Sagittarius and lights up your communication and curiosity sector, nudging you to speak from your gut instead of your script.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Sep. 2025
Douthat talks to a wide range of guests, nudging them toward unexpectedly cosmic discussions of good and evil and the future of humanity.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Think of it like a dimmer switch for your brain, nudging you towards sleep rather than forcing it.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nudging
Verb
-
That also includes light touch on your scalp from brushing your hair, the sensation of rubbing a blanket over your body, or feeling a breeze brush against your skin.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Her bob cut complemented the neckline, with her blond tips just barely brushing her collarbone.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Porat closed by urging leaders to really dig in and reimagine what’s possible in their own organizations.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Forecasters are urging travelers to check state road condition websites before setting out, as snow and ice are likely on high-elevation roads and mountain passes.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In early October, Perry and Trudeau were photographed kissing while aboard the singer's yacht, the Caravelle, off the coast of Santa Barbara.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Then, earlier in October, the couple was seen kissing on a yacht off the coast of Santa Barbara.—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Police are encouraging anyone with knowledge of the crash to come forward with further details.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Several viewers shared more helpful solutions, with some encouraging the woman to ask a pest control professional for help.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nudging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nudging. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share