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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of prodded
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
We are mostly meant to feel the movie, to allow our souls to be prodded and hugged tightly by this benevolent picture’s generous assessment of the most dangerous animal to ever exist on the planet.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Leader after leader prodded the Bank of Japan to cut rates.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The show’s sixth season, 2003’s The Amazon, prodded two female players to strip naked to win a peanut-butter-and-chocolate reward.
—David Canfield, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026
But the coronavirus outbreak that chased countless workers out of their offices in the Bay Area and nationwide prodded numerous real estate firms to rethink their plans about developing — or even owning — office sites.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
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
We are mostly meant to feel the movie, to allow our souls to be prodded and hugged tightly by this benevolent picture’s generous assessment of the most dangerous animal to ever exist on the planet.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Leader after leader prodded the Bank of Japan to cut rates.
—William Pesek, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The show’s sixth season, 2003’s The Amazon, prodded two female players to strip naked to win a peanut-butter-and-chocolate reward.
—David Canfield, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026
But the coronavirus outbreak that chased countless workers out of their offices in the Bay Area and nationwide prodded numerous real estate firms to rethink their plans about developing — or even owning — office sites.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodded
Verb
-
Loamy soil keeps its shape but crumbles easily when poked.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The sheet cake is poked with the handle end of a wooden spoon, creating big holes into which the lemon Jell-o (the glaze) was poured.—
Carolynn Carreño,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When the then-prince walked up to Giuffre, Maxwell urged the prince to guess her age.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
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Solo practitioner Marilyn Lahr urged the court to let the jury decide the case.—
Alexa Shrake,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Brockton Police arrested a man who allegedly stabbed a co-worker at Wollaston Alloys Monday night.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
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A student was even stabbed at a school after the system didn't detect a 7-inch knife.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Liu first laced up her skates at five, encouraged by her father, Arthur.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
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Those who noticed the earthquake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The legendary weatherman and longtime TV anchor recently celebrated his 30th anniversary at Today, a milestone that spurred a flurry of rumors about Roker's eventual departure from the show.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
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The decision to offer homeownership counseling services, for example, was spurred after a program that offered down payment assistance had no takers.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But after her parents had a chance viewing of bobsledding on TV and nudged her to try a new sport, Taylor pivoted from the infield to ice, to her surprise, rather seamlessly.—
Marquise Francis,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
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Our divisions are constantly nudged, magnified, monetized, and weaponized by systems that profit from keeping us emotionally engaged and perpetually agitated.—
Joe Palaggi,
Twin Cities,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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All testers dug the cavernous main compartment, which features stretchy crisscrossing straps that helped lash clothes down, keeping contents organized on the road.—
Drew Zieff,
Outside,
17 Feb. 2026
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Chicago residents dug a little deeper into their wallets to pay for city parking, as rates increased due to the city’s lopsided parking meter deal.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Witnesses said LaBeouf was thrown out of the bar for being aggressive, then punched someone several times outside.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
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When police intervened, multiple arrests were made, including a student who allegedly punched an officer, which required staples in the officer’s head to treat, according to police.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prodded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodded. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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