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
The Spanish international might have scored on his comeback, prodding an instinctive effort over the bar from close range.
—
James McNicholas, New York Times, 25 May 2026
The song is a reflection of the pressure on Joel to follow up on his success in the late 70s, and the prodding synthesizer riff adds to the claustrophobic nature of the tune.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
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
James McNicholas, New York Times, 25 May 2026
The song is a reflection of the pressure on Joel to follow up on his success in the late 70s, and the prodding synthesizer riff adds to the claustrophobic nature of the tune.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodding
Verb
-
In partnership with Underdog, a popular daily fantasy sports (DFS) and pick'em betting platform, Brooks revealed a one-of-a-kind board game poking fun at SGA.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
-
Plenty of skilled directors can manipulate tension and fear while still poking us toward nervous laughter.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Talarico is a threat to Texas and will raise more money than any other Democrat in America, Paxton said, urging his supporters to donate to his campaign.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 May 2026
-
Since Thomas's death, David Parfett has become an advocate for change, urging more rigorous legislation to confront online spaces that guide people toward harm.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
The issue circles back to the gigantic investment needed to mine that rich lode when the top names in tech are digging as well.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
-
Use Squirrel Repellent Squirrel repellents are another humane option to spray around the yard to deter these rodents from digging it up.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
28 May 2026
Verb
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After returning to the United States, investigators say O’Rourke continued the alleged scam by encouraging friends and family members to organize additional fundraising events on her behalf.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
One partner gets a little embarrassed, but the other lightens the mood and keeps encouraging them.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Last week, crude prices settled about 10% lower for the week and about 18% lower to close out the month of May — spurring the largest weekly drop in gas prices since the war began.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
1 June 2026
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In December 2024, Lipa posted photos featuring a diamond ring on her left ring finger, spurring engagement chatter.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Betting platforms have to call outcomes accurately or they’ll get dropped from the cable-news scroll, and insiders nudging odds toward correct answers help with that.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
19 May 2026
-
From July 2024 to July 2025, Charlotte added 20,731 people, and also nudging its population total closer to the 1 million mark, according to Census Bureau estimates released Thursday.—
John Marks,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Advertisement In the fight, Ruben begins to strangle Niall, though Niall protects himself by stabbing Ruben in the side with a knife.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
29 May 2026
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The 23-year-old man was suicidal and held a butcher’s knife to his own throat before charging at officers and stabbing both Officer Mark Moore and a police dog at an Aurora apartment complex.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
28 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 3 Jun. 2026.
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