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 dynamic has prodded PG&E to ramp up efforts to upgrade and expand its electrical system in the South Bay and elsewhere.
—
George Avalos, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
Ryan Yates prodded the ball to Dilane Bakwa, who in turn crossed for Taiwo Awoniyi to guide home a header and put them in front.
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 4 May 2026
There might never have been The Osbournes had Stern not pushed and prodded the deliciously wacky rock star family to bring their story to the airwaves.
—Malina Saval, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
The Gilbert family prodded the authorities to continue searching for Shannan Gilbert, and on December 13, 2011, her remains were found in the Oak Beach marshlands.
—Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
Learning cannot be condensed into an accelerated course, shoehorned into a semester calendar, rushed and prodded along.
—Peter Wayne Moe, Longreads, 26 Mar. 2026
Some sob when prodded by a fork, others are straight up devoured.
—Joe Wilkins Published Mar 12, Futurism, 12 Mar. 2026
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
George Avalos, Mercury News, 14 May 2026
Ryan Yates prodded the ball to Dilane Bakwa, who in turn crossed for Taiwo Awoniyi to guide home a header and put them in front.
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 4 May 2026
There might never have been The Osbournes had Stern not pushed and prodded the deliciously wacky rock star family to bring their story to the airwaves.
—Malina Saval, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
The Gilbert family prodded the authorities to continue searching for Shannan Gilbert, and on December 13, 2011, her remains were found in the Oak Beach marshlands.
—Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
Learning cannot be condensed into an accelerated course, shoehorned into a semester calendar, rushed and prodded along.
—Peter Wayne Moe, Longreads, 26 Mar. 2026
Some sob when prodded by a fork, others are straight up devoured.
—Joe Wilkins Published Mar 12, Futurism, 12 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodded
Verb
-
Dunne later poked fun at her outburst in an Instagram post on Sunday, May 24, recapping her time at Saturday's game, a 5-2 loss for Skenes' Pirates.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
25 May 2026
-
Moments after MacKinnon got hurt, Keegan Kolesar deflected a shot off the pipe, then poked the rebound past goalie Scott Wedgewood to tie the score at 3.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 May 2026
Verb
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Before releasing his initial budget in April, the mayor urged the council not to make significant cuts to homelessness, contending that could reverse notable progress the city has made on the issue.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
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But Senate Republican leader Stephen Harding of Brookfield told The Courant on Wednesday that Lamont should have taken advice from the homeschooling parents who urged him to veto the bill.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Cars came to a screeching stop on Interstate 495 near Washington, DC, after a man stabbed four people in an attack that left a woman and a dog dead on the highway.—
Sarah Dewberry,
CNN Money,
27 May 2026
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The victim was stabbed in the chest and back in front of the Kennedy Fried Chicken next to the Van Siclen Ave.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
27 May 2026
Verb
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But beyond that, he’s encouraged by the fact that the young creators who’ve already had enormous success online still value the cultural currency of theatrical movies.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
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The pastor encouraged his community to know that there is courage in choosing not to give up, but instead to search together for the place for them.—
HANNAH RUHOFF,
Sacbee.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Fishermen say increasing competition has spurred a sharp rise in armed conflict, especially between fisherfolk from the Turkana and Dassanech ethnic groups.—
Tommy Trenchard,
NPR,
31 May 2026
-
The conflict has wreaked havoc on global energy markets and spurred inflation to its highest level since May of 2023 after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz when the war broke out.—
Garrett Downs,
CNBC,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Steve Guttenberg To many, Steve Guttenberg will always be known as Police Academy’s Carey Mahoney, a rebellious but likable small-time crook who gets nudged into joining the force.—
Skyler Trepel,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 May 2026
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Amazon left its full-year spending outlook at $200 billion and Alphabet nudged up its capex 2026 guidance to $180 billion and $190 billion.—
Matthew J. Belvedere,
CNBC,
20 May 2026
Verb
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On the second turn, my full-size tractor sank deep into the mud, and any attempt at freeing it merely dug it in deeper.—
Jacobina Martin,
Washington Post,
28 May 2026
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His presentation comes after the city recently dug itself out of a roughly $3 million budget deficit last year and now projects at least $130 million in deferred maintenance on parks and facilities within the next decade.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Ross Garcia described the incident in court as an unprovoked attack in which Butler punched Sheron in the jaw, knocked him to the ground and repeatedly struck him in the head, NBC7 reported.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
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Kevin McGonigle punched a ground ball inside the first-base line, for a two-run triple, tying the score.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prodded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodded. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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