Synonyms of nudging

nudging

verb

present participle of nudge

1

as in brushing

to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing

accidentally nudged me as they squeezed past

Synonyms & Similar Words

• brushing
• kissing
• touching
• caressing
• shaving
• skimming
• grazing
• stroking
• scraping
• bumping
• patting
• missing
• contacting
• sweeping
• skipping
• glancing
• striking
• swiping
• petting
• bouncing
• cuddling
• loving
• fondling
• ricocheting
• caroming
• sideswiping
• rebounding
• skirting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hitting
• knocking
• bumping
• slapping
• smacking
• slamming
• punching
• banging
• impinging
• impacting
• crashing
• smashing
• colliding
• whacking
• clashing
• swiping
• thudding
• bashing
• ramming
• thwacking

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

• urging
• encouraging
• prodding
• prompting
• pushing
• coaxing
• spurring
• goading
• exhorting
• propelling
• pressing
• egging (on)
• driving
• stimulating
• imploring
• hurrying
• cajoling
• provoking
• beseeching
• pressuring
• rushing
• hustling
• importuning
• wheedling
• nagging
• fomenting
• inciting
• instigating
• stirring (up)
• needling
• adjuring
• blandishing
• soft-soaping
• high-pressuring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discouraging
• deterring
• checking
• restraining
• dissuading
• curbing
• braking
• constraining
• inhibiting
• holding back

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nudging

Instead of nudging people towards Zionism, such coalitions are pulling progressive politicians more towards the pro-Palestine camp with each special election. — Literary Hub, 20 July 2026

Beyond France, Tuesday’s game put him clear as the man to coach the most World Cup games in history, nudging ahead of Helmut Schon. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 15 July 2026

The transition already appears to be in play, with OnePlus’ German site currently nudging some customers toward Oppo devices. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 14 July 2026

The Moon conjoins surprising Uranus in your 4th House of Home and Family, nudging rhythm changes and fresh feelings around your private world. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2026

Your 3rd House of Communication awakens as the intuitive Moon moves in, sharpening timing and nudging you to say what helps tasks move. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026

And by nudging two other family members to put a hand on the wheel, everyone felt a bit of control. — David Crown, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Oura’s Resilience score uses a 14-day window to track stress load against recovery, nudging users to think in multi-week training blocks rather than daily streaks. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026

But the temperatures in Paris — with record highs for June nudging past 40 C (104 F) during the day and 25 C (77 F) at night — have been grueling. — ABC News, 25 June 2026