1
as in poked
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 urged
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prodded
The reason for excitement in this case is a group of young guys who are maturing and learning how to be consistent winners, prodded by a coach who won three Stanley Cup championships in Chicago and has demonstrated a knack for turning young teams into contenders.
—
Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
Rajner has prodded lawmakers to act while also accusing DOH of illegally diverting money from ADAP without adequately notifying the public of the implications of the severe cutbacks.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
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
Thankfully, city officials—prodded by tenants and small-business owners, clergy and homeowners, and, yes, some landlords—rejected advice to consign neighborhoods such as East Flatbush to history’s dustbin.
—Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Other officials, too, prodded the IDNR after they were caught unaware about the possibility that the marina would not open for the 2026 season.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
When Reusters/Ipsos respondents were prodded about which party had the better approach on immigration, the GOP held the edge with 37% versus Democrats at 32%.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
And no matter where anyone turned, everyone poked, prodded and dissected the sounds, lyrics and yes, muses – a prospect faced by no other artist in 2025.
—Denise Warner, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2026
Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
Rajner has prodded lawmakers to act while also accusing DOH of illegally diverting money from ADAP without adequately notifying the public of the implications of the severe cutbacks.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
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
Thankfully, city officials—prodded by tenants and small-business owners, clergy and homeowners, and, yes, some landlords—rejected advice to consign neighborhoods such as East Flatbush to history’s dustbin.
—Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Other officials, too, prodded the IDNR after they were caught unaware about the possibility that the marina would not open for the 2026 season.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
When Reusters/Ipsos respondents were prodded about which party had the better approach on immigration, the GOP held the edge with 37% versus Democrats at 32%.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
And no matter where anyone turned, everyone poked, prodded and dissected the sounds, lyrics and yes, muses – a prospect faced by no other artist in 2025.
—Denise Warner, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodded
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
-
Flick’s team persisted after the break, pressing high and eventually finding a third goal when Bernal poked home from a Joao Cancelo cross.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Al Olszewski, a former state senator who is running for Zinke's seat, accused both Daines and Zinke of betraying the people of Montana and urged voters to reject their handpicked successors.—
MATTHEW BROWN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
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The authors, who include veterinarians, researchers and wildlife biologists, urged physicians and other healthcare workers in the region to consider lungworm infection when patients come in with nervous system disorders.—
Susanne Rust
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Sanchez's 12-year-old son, Marcus Figueroa, was stabbed 25 times and feigned death in order to survive.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Ricks also stabbed Sanchez’s other son, 12-year-old Marcus Figueroa.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 12,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Slusser alleged Kress is the one who encouraged her to live in that apartment.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
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While Red States are generally supportive of immigration crackdowns, Blue States enacted sanctuary laws that encouraged undocumented migrants to concentrate in their cities despite being a clear violation of the Constitution.—
Doug McIntyre,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Robinson ended the cold streak by drilling a 3-pointer that spurred a 20-5 run by Sierra Canyon.—
Dan Rios,
Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The House Un-American Activities Committee was spurred to conduct its own hearings and investigations, adding to the overblown fears of Communist encroachment.—
Ali Breland,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Much weakened, Iran might be nudged to engage in dialogue to avoid further loss in the war.—
Debidatta A. Mahapatra,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
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Many are concerned that there is insufficient understanding of how to ensure it cannot be misused by bad actors or nudged to go rogue.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While sticking a broom through the rubble to mark his location, Wehrle waited as the three men dug him out.—
Rebecca Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
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His teammates dug him, and vice versa.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors said, on Friday, Marshall punched her 11-year-old son in the face, giving him a bloody nose, and poured dish soap down his mouth and into his ear.—
Shardaa Gray,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Here’s a look at the dates and sites for each conference tournament and the winners that have punched their tickets to March Madness.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prodded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodded. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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