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

Relevance
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
In the original poem, the gods repeatedly disguise themselves as people and prod the characters into making key decisions. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 July 2026 Renowned Chilean filmmaker Valeria Sarmiento has a long history of prodding at memory in her films. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 9 July 2026
Noun
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 Variety understands that Ayres’ standalone prod-co Tony Ayres Productions will also close. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 17 Feb. 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
  • The family dog, named by local media as Rocky, was found alive after one of the rescuers spotted his tail poking out of the rubble.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • While viral videos poke fun, territorial scrums over scarce Costco spots can turn ugly, and sometimes violent.
    — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Definition of poke
Verb
  • Despite impressive demonstrations, a true, self-improving AI beyond human control remains unproven, urging leaders to distinguish current capabilities from future forecasts.
    — Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, Éléonore Caroit, France’s minister for international partnerships, urged tourists not to cancel their holiday plans and emphasized that most of the country remains untouched.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
Definition of urge
Noun
  • And Obama was being seen at the time as being completely irresponsible in pursuing stimulus.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
  • The services economy, more efficient technology, work-from-home policies and strong fiscal stimulus from tax decreases have enabled us to weather short-term oil spikes.
    — Dryden Pence, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of stimulus
Verb
  • The fire also spurred evacuation orders and warnings, which remained in place Monday.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
  • The catastrophe spurred changes to emergency response protocols and prompted deeper research into mountain floods.
    — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 27 July 2026
Definition of spur
Verb
  • Our firm’s community association attorneys encourage everyone to visit these sites to learn more about its activities and how to support them.
    — Christyne D. Santisteban, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Michigan relies on supply chains that are heavily integrated with Canada after decades of policies that encouraged reducing bilateral trade barriers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of encourage
Noun
  • Cantone said in an interview with the Herald that Guarino gave her an electro-stimulation device to use on the left side of her face in the days following the initial procedure.
    — Ella Moore July 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
  • The new World Health Organization guidelines recommend cognitive training, cognitive stimulation, and participation in a variety of social activities for adults with both normal cognition as well as mild impairment.
    — Kathleen Felton, Time, 21 July 2026
Definition of stimulation
Verb
  • An 18-year-old suspect has been arrested after five people were stabbed early Saturday morning in Old Sacramento, police said.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2026
  • About ten minutes later, Morales Moshe stabbed Yezhak Grunhaus in the chest with a screwdriver outside The Jewish Center, a prominent Upper West Side synagogue, on Amsterdam Ave.
    — Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
Definition of stab
Verb
  • The Mancunian likes to lurk at the back post and is clever at nudging defenders to put them off-balance.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • Yes, Governor Kazuo Ueda nudged rates to a 31‑year high of 1% in mid‑June.
    — William Pesek, Forbes.com, 23 July 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 2 Aug. 2026.

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