prod 1 of 2

verb

ˈpräd How to pronounce prod (audio)
Definition of prodnext
1
as in to poke
to urge or push forward with or as if with a pointed object kept prodding the sheep with a staff to move along faster

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to urge
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action a public outcry eventually prodded the politicians into action

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

prod

2 of 2

noun

as in stimulus

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 prod
Verb
Rather than be daunted by scale or fear of the unknown, determination—destiny, even—prod the poet-philosopher up this craggy citadel to glory. — A.d. Amorosi, SPIN, 6 Aug. 2026 On that occasion, Argentina sought to prod, poke and provoke; Enzo Fernandez left one on the head of Elliot Anderson early on, Leandro Paredes caught the ankle of Jude Bellingham. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Noun
The cutbacks are going far beyond a friendly prod to boost NATO defense spending. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 This one came on an innocent prod at the basketball, a tap that occurred a solid 85 feet away from the hoop on which his assignment, Jalen Brunson, hoped to score. — Fred Katz, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prod
  1. poke
  2. urge
  3. stimulus
  4. spur
  5. encourage
  6. stimulation
  7. stab
  8. nudge
Verb
  • Defender Kevin O'Toole poked the ball away, but Mboma Dem put away a sliding first-touch shot that opened the scoring in the 11th minute.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Somebody had taken a cosmic needle and poked holes in the dome so that the light could filter in.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of poke
Verb
  • In the filing, the Justice Department urged the appeals court to reverse the Tennessee federal judge’s ruling dismissing criminal charges against Abrego Garcia.
    — Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Anyone who can provide a tip in connection with Standish is urged to call 651-438-8477 or fill out a form on the sheriff's office website.
    — Nicholas Lentz, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of urge
Noun
  • The third is to develop novel variations of your stimuli or your benchmark items in order to test robustness and generalization.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The country on Monday reported disappointing retail sales and industrial production growth for July, fueling hopes for more rate cuts and stimulus.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of stimulus
Verb
  • An alarming downside is that this openly spurs an AI to potentially wreak havoc and commit cyberattacks throughout the Internet, even though it is seemingly only being tested.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • For Christina Koch, the Red Rocks gathering spurred a call and response audience participation.
    — Leonard David, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of spur
Verb
  • While the colors blend in with the landscape and may draw your eye outside, the rooms also encourage procrastinating.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Lee told the Queen that her husband’s candidness has encouraged many to feel more comfortable with their own cancer journeys.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of encourage
Noun
  • Egg freezing costs can hit $47,000 A single egg freezing cycle, including hormone stimulation and the retrieval procedure, costs around $16,000, on average, according to FertilityIQ, a fertility data and education platform.
    — Annie Nova, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Whether that category expands beyond vitamin D stimulation will be determined by larger independent trials and real-world outcomes.
    — Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of stimulation
Verb
  • Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) Communications via AP Hines stabbed Jenkins to death while the 54-year-old was working as a motel maid in Kingston Springs.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Lunceford eventually began moving toward doors leading outside, where the stabbing victim was being treated and roughly a dozen other workers were nearby.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of stab
Verb
  • Founder Peter Arvad told New Atlas that this was considered, but the team ultimately decided that scoring and gamifying sleep risked an unhealthy relationship with something meant to feel natural, opting to gently nudge better habits instead.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Medicare surcharges are triggered by hard income thresholds assessed on a two-year lookback, and a conversion that nudges an individual a single dollar over a bracket can raise premiums for a full year.
    — Dana Dunkelberger, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of nudge

Browse Nearby Words

procuring
prod
prodded
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Cite this Entry

“Prod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prod. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of prod for Spanish Speakers

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