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
Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Naomi Girma prodded home after a scramble from a corner to send Chelsea through to the quarter-finals.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 23 Feb. 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
They were pinched, prodded, cut, shocked, pierced with needles, struck with canes, and burned with acid.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Naomi Girma prodded home after a scramble from a corner to send Chelsea through to the quarter-finals.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 23 Feb. 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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But researchers who studied crocodiles at an outdoor recreation center near Cape Town appear to have poked a hole in that approach.—
Regina G. Barber,
NPR,
9 Mar. 2026
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Featured in this article What’s more, hotel pillows often have other special features, including down-proof encasements (meaning feathers won’t poke through the cover over time).—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The intuitive Moon squares Saturn, pitting your 3rd House of Distractions against your 6th House of Pragmatism, urging specific words, meticulous timing, and sensible boundaries.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
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Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images Denmark's energy minister urged citizens of the Scandinavian country to cut back on energy use and ditch cars as the price of oil continues to skyrocket amid the Middle East conflict.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Our market reacts to rate cuts more than any other stimulus.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
8 Mar. 2026
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But economists expressed disappointment over the government’s limited stimulus.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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A week-plus into the military efforts, overnight March 8-9, premarket trading mass hysteria spurred Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, and West Texas Intermediate, a domestic American benchmark, both to nearly $120 per barrel.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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That criticism helped spur a push in Lakewood to create an independent civilian oversight board for the city’s police department.—
The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Your 5th House of Frivolity welcomes Luna’s presence, encouraging expressive risks that feel joyful in the moment and help your confidence grow over time.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
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Slusser also alleged Kress encouraged her to move into the apartment with Fleming, when there was another group of teammates looking for a tenant as well.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The brain needs time to shift out of the day, so a bath, quiet reading or low-stimulation play in the 30 to 60 minutes before bed can go a long way.—
Avery Newmark,
AJC.com,
10 Mar. 2026
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Unlike most opioids, buprenorphine only partially activates opioid receptors, providing enough stimulation to prevent withdrawal and cravings while not causing euphoria.—
Rachel French,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In a lawsuit, Nicholas Parszik and his parents alleged that Rivers stabbed Nicholas, then 8, while the two boys were playing video games in the garage of Nicholas’ San Pedro home on July 30, 2016.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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After being questioned by Charlotte County detectives, Giblin allegedly confessed to stabbing Bradley after an argument.—
Alyssa Dzikowski,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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My dream guy occasionally nudged me to pet him or offer a treat.—
Jennifer Wolfgram,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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Commitments may need clearer promises, especially as the Moon in your tender 8th house nudges Jupiter in your busy 2nd house.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prod.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prod. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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