1
as in poking
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 urging
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 prodding
Kuhner is a writer, and, a few months after his family arrived, neighbors started prodding him to take over the local bookstore, which was being sold.
—
Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
And six years later, Donovan is still prodding and cajoling the forward to crash the boards and control his dribble and contribute physically to the game.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Some say his solo effort against Manchester City in 2021 was the pinnacle, when the winger waltzed past one of the best defenses in the world before prodding his shot into the side-netting.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026
Instead, the White House appears to be prodding Iranian reformers to step forward to put their nation on a more sustainable course.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
There are close-ups of hands kneading dough, a snail sliming its way up a window and Cathy prodding a jellied fish with her finger.
—Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Still, hardline conservatives in the House are prodding the Senate to try the talking filibuster move.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 7 Feb. 2026
Wondrous Neptune is soaring into your 9th House of Investigations, prodding you out of your comfort zone.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Jordan, at times, could be abrasive and biting while relentlessly prodding his teammates to push themselves to excellence.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
And six years later, Donovan is still prodding and cajoling the forward to crash the boards and control his dribble and contribute physically to the game.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Some say his solo effort against Manchester City in 2021 was the pinnacle, when the winger waltzed past one of the best defenses in the world before prodding his shot into the side-netting.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026
Instead, the White House appears to be prodding Iranian reformers to step forward to put their nation on a more sustainable course.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
There are close-ups of hands kneading dough, a snail sliming its way up a window and Cathy prodding a jellied fish with her finger.
—Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Still, hardline conservatives in the House are prodding the Senate to try the talking filibuster move.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 7 Feb. 2026
Wondrous Neptune is soaring into your 9th House of Investigations, prodding you out of your comfort zone.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
Jordan, at times, could be abrasive and biting while relentlessly prodding his teammates to push themselves to excellence.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodding
Verb
-
The post quickly drew a wave of reactions online, with some users poking fun at both the situation and Jones’ outfit.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
-
Here, Ibrahima Konate has the simple task of poking the ball through United’s midfield, Wirtz swaps passes with Szoboszlai, and then has a decent attempt at goal.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
As this unseasonable heat returns, the National Weather Service is urging residents in South Florida to take necessary precautions to avoid heat illnesses and heat exhaustion.—
Lissette Gonzalez,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
-
Lydon, who served as a Peruvian missionary with the pope during the 1990s, recalled his friend collecting signatures on petitions urging an end to human rights violations under an authoritarian regime.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Most of the works are from series such as Canal Zone, Protest Paintings, and The Entertainers, digging deep into Prince’s iconoclastic id.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
8 May 2026
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This would presumably come up once Gali became a news story and journalists started digging, but Orna finds out on her own.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Iranian officials are encouraging the population to consume less electricity and gas, as a US blockade has interrupted the flow of shipments to Iran.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
-
Now there’s emphasis on offense, teaching it and coaching it and encouraging it.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Though Cooper did not clarify if the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran was now over, a raft of attacks throughout Monday spiked fears that the war would restart, spurring sharp price increases in already-jittery energy markets.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
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The move appears to have backfired, spurring voters in California and, last week, Virginia to redraw their state’s political maps to more than offset Texas and boost Democrats in November.—
Mark Barabak,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Prices in the Inland Empire were nudging closer to $6 on Thursday.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
-
OpenAI, for example, added a feature to ChatGPT in August that encourages users to take breaks after using the tool for extended periods of time instead of nudging them to keep responding.—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The man was later convicted of stabbing his girlfriend and is serving 15 years in prison for the attack.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
Preliminary information indicated the stabbing victim may have been mistaken for another person, police said.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
Verb
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His Dahl is constantly goading people, driving them right up to the edge of their tolerance.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
-
So, does Roan deserve all the credit for softening the nature of these carpets, where dozens of photographers gather to scream goading or even offensive remarks at talent just to get their attention?—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prodding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodding. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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