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
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Recent Examples of nudging
Messi welcomed the ball into his run, cushioning it with his thigh and then — sublimely, almost in slow motion — nudging it ahead with his left foot.
—
Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 June 2026
Families can play a vital role in nudging dads towards these life-extending steps.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
The administration frames the free model as a deliberate effort to route economic activity and equity toward small businesses, backed by a Five Borough Winners Special promotion nudging fans into neighborhood bars and restaurants rather than FIFA’s perimeter.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 19 June 2026
The state in recent months has begun nudging the river district and the eight groundwater districts within the basin to begin taking more concrete steps to slow the depletion.
—Allen Best, Denver Post, 14 June 2026
The nurturing Moon enters your 6th House of Daily Routine, nudging you to set a clear calendar block that protects your focus.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
As evening begins, the moody Moon in Aquarius forms an easy sextile with healing Chiron, nudging supportive conversations within groups and wider circles.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2026
Summer in New York has a way of nudging even my all-black wardrobe in a more colorful direction, inspiring me to experiment with brighter shades—if only on my nails (which, in my book, absolutely counts as a pop of color).
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 6 June 2026
Mental Mercury in your 12th House of Solitude misaligns with intimate Pluto in your 7th House of Partnership, nudging you to translate feelings into clear words.
—Pubsubhub User, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2026
Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 June 2026
Families can play a vital role in nudging dads towards these life-extending steps.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
The administration frames the free model as a deliberate effort to route economic activity and equity toward small businesses, backed by a Five Borough Winners Special promotion nudging fans into neighborhood bars and restaurants rather than FIFA’s perimeter.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 19 June 2026
The state in recent months has begun nudging the river district and the eight groundwater districts within the basin to begin taking more concrete steps to slow the depletion.
—Allen Best, Denver Post, 14 June 2026
The nurturing Moon enters your 6th House of Daily Routine, nudging you to set a clear calendar block that protects your focus.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
As evening begins, the moody Moon in Aquarius forms an easy sextile with healing Chiron, nudging supportive conversations within groups and wider circles.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2026
Summer in New York has a way of nudging even my all-black wardrobe in a more colorful direction, inspiring me to experiment with brighter shades—if only on my nails (which, in my book, absolutely counts as a pop of color).
—Amanda Le, InStyle, 6 June 2026
Mental Mercury in your 12th House of Solitude misaligns with intimate Pluto in your 7th House of Partnership, nudging you to translate feelings into clear words.
—Pubsubhub User, Baltimore Sun, 4 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nudging
Verb
-
And, of course, Vitello finished the circus by brushing the whole thing under the rug.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
24 June 2026
-
Each style was crafted from leather treated with manual washing, brushing and finishing techniques.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Rodríguez also said the country’s entire public and private healthcare network had been activated to treat the injured, urging doctors, nurses and other medical personnel to report immediately to their workplaces.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2026
-
Supporters gathered at the Georgia State Capitol recently urging legislators to override the governor's veto.—
Nakell Williams,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
Verb
-
In 2012, Stewart was caught kissing her Snow White and the Huntsman director, Rupert Sanders, in photos that were published online.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 June 2026
-
Jelly Roll is kissing Bunnie XO goodbye.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Tree was recognizable for his bright fashion, mullet haircut with prominent bangs, thin mustache and encouraging outlook.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
-
Bad choices like that are a through-line for this whole story, all the way back to Otto Hightower encouraging his daughter, Alicent, to befriend Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys.—
Sean T. Collins,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nudging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nudging. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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