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
-
Hartman caught the pass and poked it low past Wedgewood while being buried by a Brent Burns check.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
-
Joshua poked me in the shoulder.—
Chang-rae Lee,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
So in August 2008, the federal government recalled the bassinets and urged families and caregivers to stop using them.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.—
Kendrick Calfee
May 7,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The assailant stabbed the pope with a bayonet, but the assassination attempt was unsuccessful.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
-
Despite attempts to de-escalate the situation, the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed one of the officers multiple times.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Those who noticed the earthquake are encouraged to report it through the USGS Felt Report form.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
10 May 2026
-
Residents were encouraged to do a walk-through of their property, looking for potential damage from water or gas leaks.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Once a loyal Republican and McCain campaign operative, her transformation to anti-Trump voice was spurred by personal experiences that have shaped her point of view.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
The twin financial centres of Dubai (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi (ADGM) have seen a dramatic increase in global and regional financial participation, spurred by traditional financial services, wealth management alongside racier offerings like digital assets.—
Vasuki Shastry,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Later, when the oldest hit her mid-teens and eventually went off to college, the two boys were nudged into leadership roles of their own and nominally put in charge of the youngest kid, a sister.—
Andre Mouchard,
Daily News,
9 May 2026
-
Hawkers hitched boxes higher and nudged each other to behold the spirited pregnant woman.—
‘Pemi Aguda,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Over the past year, Shugar and his co-authors have dug more deeply into seismic records and other observations of the glacier to figure out what happened.—
Megan I. Gannon,
Scientific American,
6 May 2026
-
To help natural forces rebuild the marsh more quickly, restoration crews dug channels into the farmland before breaching the levee.—
John Ryan,
NPR,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
The Pistons punched back with a 20-5 run as the Magic at one point missed 13 straight shots from the floor.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The would-be robbery victim did not need medical attention after being punched.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prodded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodded. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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