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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodded
Verb
-
Officers poked a hole in the bag and found the elder Ordonez's body.—
Annasofia Scheve,
San Antonio Express-News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Back in February 2025, Duff poked fun at her daughter Mae, mixing some mischief in her Valentine's Day post.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Officials were forced to close all southbound lanes of the Palmetto Expressway in the area for the rescues and investigation, and drivers were being urged to avoid the area until the scene has been cleared.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Alia urged residents to remain calm and to continue to cooperate with security agencies on rescue efforts and other operations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Daniel Montano, 21, was stabbed during a chaotic early morning brawl Easter Sunday, according to Wilmington police.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Carl Reed was sentenced to 27 years in prison in 2005 for the killing of 66-year-old Kim Van Vo, who had been stabbed 11 times in his apartment at an assisted living facility.—
Sabrina Franza,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nonpropagandized instruction of the history and relevance of May Day could have been encouraged.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
City officials have encouraged Golden Leaf restaurant to install an expensive filter to address the pungent smell, though owners insist that none of their immediate shopping center neighbors have complained about the odor.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Prospect, a private equity company, has spurred scrutiny about the role of private equity in health care companies and concerns that such firms strip equity and cut costs to the detriment of the hospital and its patients.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2026
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Claudia Levens The latest torrent of flooding in the Milwaukee area spurred local officials to convene a new task force on April 17 that would plan for the increasing frequency of major, destructive flooding events.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With limited offseason cap space around the league, Powell might need to work with the Heat on a sign-and-trade deal if he is nudged aside or chooses to move on elsewhere.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
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The other man attempted to walk around the victim to get in the elevator when the victim nudged him with his laundry basket.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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To make restoration possible at Tidmarsh, over 20,000 native plant species were planted, several old dams removed and new waterways dug.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
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The Clippers dug themselves out of an early hole and a modest late-season skid to reach the postseason as the ninth-seeded team will face off against the 10th-seeded Golden State Warriors in a Play-In Tournament game Wednesday night at the Intuit Dome.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Reigns punched his way out of the submission hold and put Punk back in the guillotine.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
One youth later reported being punched and having their necklace damaged after the dispute escalated, per the news release.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prodded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodded. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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