1
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
as in stimulus
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of prod
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Some say his solo effort against Manchester City in 2021 was the pinnacle, when the winger waltzed past one of the best defenses in the world before prodding his shot into the side-netting.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026
James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
In an entry hall, kites overhead, frozen mid-swoop, are by Yinka Shonibare, a Nigerian Brit who works in batik as a prod at colonialism.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prod
Verb
And six years later, Donovan is still prodding and cajoling the forward to crash the boards and control his dribble and contribute physically to the game.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Some say his solo effort against Manchester City in 2021 was the pinnacle, when the winger waltzed past one of the best defenses in the world before prodding his shot into the side-netting.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
In response to my prod, the bot merely teeters.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
In an entry hall, kites overhead, frozen mid-swoop, are by Yinka Shonibare, a Nigerian Brit who works in batik as a prod at colonialism.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prod
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prod
Verb
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Officers poked a hole in the bag and found the elder Ordonez's body.—
Annasofia Scheve,
San Antonio Express-News,
13 Apr. 2026
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France has one of the highest top income tax rates in the European Union and Briere’s treatment sparked a flurry of social media commentary in France, with some poking fun at the taxman’s pursuit of the government’s dues.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The man wouldn’t put his arm behind his back, prompting witnesses on the other side of the glass doors watching the arrest to urge him to comply.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
15 Apr. 2026
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Speaking at the Presidential Palance in Yaoundé in front of the country’s President, Paul Biya, Leo urged authorities to avoid corrupt practices.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This time, economists say the job market and consumer spending are weaker, and there are no large government stimulus checks being issued to spur demand.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Apr. 2026
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Being in an unfamiliar place, getting poor sleep, and constant stimuli from lights and noise all contribute to delirium.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Retail sales showed pockets of strength in the quarter, buoyed by Lunar New Year demand and government subsidy programs that spurred consumer upgrades, said Yuhan Zhang, principal economist at think tank The Conference Board, boosting spending in communication equipment, gold and jewelry.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
16 Apr. 2026
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Large peaceful protest events like the 1963 March on Washington, the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the 1965 Selma marches spurred federal action.—
Chris John Amorosino,
Hartford Courant,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Fans are encouraged to line up on South University Drive outside the President's House, west to the Student Union, and south down State Street to Yost Ice Arena.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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The Live Local Act, a state law passed in 2023 to encourage developers to build more affordable housing, is the key driving the redesign of the faded mall that gained new owners in September 2025.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That said, occasional gentle stimulation—like a scalp massage—is generally harmless, according to Bauman.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
14 Apr. 2026
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But sonogenetics offers the possibility of noninvasive stimulation.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Deborah Kennedy, 40, was found stabbed to death inside her Southfield home on the 24000 Block of Lee Baker.—
Veronica Ortega,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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But Fahim forced himself into the bathroom and killed Bahm, also stabbing him more than 40 times.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That’s like a flower scrupulously nudging out from between sidewalk slabs, a breath of fresh air.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
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In combined bites, the salty ingredients season the fresh ones, and the textures are varied enough to gently nudge the brain awake.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prod. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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