1
as in brushing
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 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
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Recent Examples of nudging
Broward Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott is nudging cities to move away from March.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
In practical terms, those hedging flows have acted like a magnet, nudging Bitcoin higher while capping gains.
—Sidhartha Shukla, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
Your 9th House of Expansion is energized by Venus and Chiron aligning, nudging you to choose growth over perfection in an expanding field.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2026
But that respite was short-lived, with the price of Brent crude, the international standard, nudging back over $100 a barrel Tuesday, up nearly 40% since the war started.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
In some cases, the compression worked in the festival’s favor, nudging people to leave overcrowded screenings and redirect their attention to other corners of the event.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
When the Rockets called a time out, the Lakers bench all ran over to Doncic, hugging him, slapping him and James nudging him for a job very well done.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Snap decisions may become necessary with this Moon-Mercury conjunction in your 10th House of Motivation, nudging you to name your goal and take that next step.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026
Yet Breaking the Waves was an art-house sensation, scoring an Oscar nomination for Watson and nudging Skarsgård into contention for big-budget Hollywood roles.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
In practical terms, those hedging flows have acted like a magnet, nudging Bitcoin higher while capping gains.
—Sidhartha Shukla, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
Your 9th House of Expansion is energized by Venus and Chiron aligning, nudging you to choose growth over perfection in an expanding field.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Mar. 2026
But that respite was short-lived, with the price of Brent crude, the international standard, nudging back over $100 a barrel Tuesday, up nearly 40% since the war started.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
In some cases, the compression worked in the festival’s favor, nudging people to leave overcrowded screenings and redirect their attention to other corners of the event.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
When the Rockets called a time out, the Lakers bench all ran over to Doncic, hugging him, slapping him and James nudging him for a job very well done.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Snap decisions may become necessary with this Moon-Mercury conjunction in your 10th House of Motivation, nudging you to name your goal and take that next step.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026
Yet Breaking the Waves was an art-house sensation, scoring an Oscar nomination for Watson and nudging Skarsgård into contention for big-budget Hollywood roles.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nudging
Verb
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Another admitted to brushing crumbs into the gap between the stove and counter as a child—only to be caught and made to pull the appliance out and deep-clean the entire area.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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And in a way that feels fitting, Hart is brushing it off while inching closer to a statistical territory few players — even the greatest shooters — have ever touched.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On Sunday morning, Haidar Abdul-Samad, deputy director of Basra’s Shalamcha border crossing with Iran, was on the phone with an Iranian official, complaining about electricity cuts that had halted trade, urging a quick resolution.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
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In a video lesson, psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk emphasizes the importance of compassion when interacting with trauma survivors, highlighting that seemingly negative behaviors may be coping mechanisms for deep emotional pain and urging us to consider their struggles before passing judgment.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The two confirmed their relationship in the fall of 2021 after paparazzi photos leaked of the pair kissing inside a car.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
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In the clip, jointly posted to their Instagram accounts, the NFL player could be seen kissing the Sinners star's bare belly.—
Leigh Blickley,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Setting kind, consistent boundaries and encouraging independence helps kids develop important life skills and emotional regulation.—
Taylor Grothe,
Parents,
4 Apr. 2026
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Clever Mercury in your sign trines lucky Jupiter in your 5th House of Delight, giving your words a playful glow and encouraging authentic self-expression.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nudging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nudging. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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