1
as in stabs
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 urges
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 prods
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Kate says when Laurie prods her to speak her mind.
—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Jan. 2026
The two do some earnest bonding over being child actors and their mutual love of John Cassavettes and A Woman Under the Influence, but some of the most delightful bits between them occur when Lawrence prods him into laughter.
—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
17 Dec. 2025
The film takes place over three years in Valbona, a suburban district of Barcelona, as Guerín prods at issues of displacement, identity, urban life, and ecological conflicts in this small neighborhood that serves as a microcosm of the world.
—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
This kind of mutual caretaking, physical as well as emotional, prods larger conversations about the state of the world — particularly, Marie-Lou’s nursing home facing a perpetual funding crisis.
—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Kate says when Laurie prods her to speak her mind.
—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Jan. 2026
The two do some earnest bonding over being child actors and their mutual love of John Cassavettes and A Woman Under the Influence, but some of the most delightful bits between them occur when Lawrence prods him into laughter.
—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
17 Dec. 2025
The film takes place over three years in Valbona, a suburban district of Barcelona, as Guerín prods at issues of displacement, identity, urban life, and ecological conflicts in this small neighborhood that serves as a microcosm of the world.
—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prods
Verb
-
His right-hand man, Bishop, pulls an Iago on him and stabs him in the back by emptying his bullets.
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The shower curtain opens, revealing an old woman, who stabs and decapitates Mary.
Verb
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The plan also urges African countries to preserve former slave forts and castles as memorial sites.
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If someone urges you to splurge, smile, breathe, and pause.
Noun
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To Robin Wright’s multimillionaire gallery owner Laura, her son’s new girlfriend is a sleazy opportunist, a gold digger who lies about her academic and professional credentials and goads Laura by going down on Daniel (Laurie Davidson) in Laura’s house with the door open.
Verb
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The second is a vent which pokes out above your clothes, to move warm air away from you.
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Perched on a finger of land that pokes into Lebanon, Metula is usually crowded with tourists this time of year.
Verb
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Rissetto encourages her patients to cut back on alcoholic beverages.
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Reclaiming this original spirit encourages leaders to prioritize ethical conduct, the common good, and judge individuals by their actions and inherent potential, fostering inclusive and merit-based environments.
Noun
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Studies show that the brain continues to learn when exposed to novel situations and stimuli.
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Sometimes, the nostalgic names come to you in a massive rush, sparked by some sort of visual stimuli, and this Bolton Wanderers shir… sorry, this Panama shirt has done just that.
Verb
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Supporters say the law expands options for families and spurs school improvement all around — especially in districts with subpar schools.
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But the immune system has sensed that something is wrong, and spurs a more brute force reaction.
Verb
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An intuitive Moon crosses your 10th House of Career while Saturn, planet of lessons, rests in your 5th House of Creativity, and their quincunx nudges you to refine spotlight plans with care.
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Syntiant’s tech nudges the new takes back toward the tone and feeling of the 1983 master while keeping every note authentically Boy George.
Cite this Entry
“Prods.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prods. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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