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
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
The moment in 1997 when the esoteric holiday left the closed confines of the television writer’s memories of an atypical adolescence and slipped into the world via Hollywood producers took place as he was cornered in a booth with his colleagues prodding him to spill the beans.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 23 Dec. 2025
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
The moment in 1997 when the esoteric holiday left the closed confines of the television writer’s memories of an atypical adolescence and slipped into the world via Hollywood producers took place as he was cornered in a booth with his colleagues prodding him to spill the beans.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 23 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prodding
Verb
-
But rather than big Hawaiian swells, these waves were the crashing sounds of social media users poking fun at the look of the upcoming Disney film.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
-
His father came around the corner in time to see his arms poking up above the rim, a cartoon character in need of rescue.—
Eric Boodman,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The United States declared Afghanistan a state sponsor of wrongful detention earlier in March, urging the Taliban to release Coyle and other hostages.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The tension escalated when Carolyn received a frantic call from her sister, Lauren Bessette (Sydney Lemmon), urging her to turn on the TV.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
An excavator spent Thursday digging an escape channel.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Why is Elon Musk digging tunnels?—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Felder suggested that the Beth El rabbis send out a congregation-wide e-mail offering guidance on how to respond to the humanitarian crisis—say, by directing members to relief groups or by encouraging members to contact their representatives in Congress to exert pressure on Israel.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Your 4th House of Protection hosts contentment-seeking Venus, encouraging you to take comfort in your private world.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Prediction platforms Kalshi and Polymarket have dominated the burgeoning predictions industry in recent months, spurring sports betting incumbents like FanDuel and DraftKings to enter the predictions space, as well.—
Jessica Golden,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The lead-up to the school’s first class comes as both private and public schools in Chicago have faced allegations of antisemitism, spurring concern and desire for an alternative among some local Jewish parents.—
Grace Gilson,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Your 9th House of Expansion is energized by Venus and Chiron aligning, nudging you to choose growth over perfection in an expanding field.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
-
But that respite was short-lived, with the price of Brent crude, the international standard, nudging back over $100 a barrel Tuesday, up nearly 40% since the war started.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Two teenagers are facing charges in connection to a Hackensack, New Jersey, stabbing that sent one of them to the hospital.—
CBS New York Team,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
According to Prescott, Walker appeared intent on stabbing the policeman before he was shot.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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 2 Apr. 2026.
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