Synonyms of prompt

prompt 1 of 3

verb

ˈpräm(p)t 

1

as in to cause

to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)

a misguided pride prompted the family to refuse all offers of help

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cause
• create
• generate
• bring
• do
• produce
• work
• induce
• invoke
• yield
• spawn
• make
• effect
• effectuate
• encourage
• bring about
• result (in)
• draw on
• catalyze
• engender
• give rise to
• translate (into)
• occasion
• found
• beget
• introduce
• initiate
• bring forth
• bring on
• promote
• contribute (to)
• begin
• start
• launch
• inaugurate
• establish
• determine
• breed
• decide
• set up
• forward
• develop
• pioneer
• foster
• render
• enact
• further
• institute
• set
• cultivate
• advance
• conduce (to)
• turn out
• innovate
• nurture
• father
• nourish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• restrict
• limit
• impede
• suppress
• check
• quash
• quell
• stifle
• restrain
• control
• dampen
• subdue
• put down
• repress
• inhibit
• arrest
• crush
• smother
• curb
• retard
• kill
• can
• rein (in)
• squelch
• crack down (on)
• destroy
• still
• clamp down (on)
• squash
• extinguish
• abolish
• liquidate
• quench
• demolish
• snuff (out)

2

as in to urge

to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action

prompted the reluctant performer onto the stage with loud cheers and whistles

Synonyms & Similar Words

• urge
• encourage
• nudge
• spur
• exhort
• goad
• egg (on)
• push
• prod
• coax
• stimulate
• press
• provoke
• propel
• drive
• hurry
• implore
• rush
• beseech
• importune
• pressure
• incite
• cajole
• instigate
• adjure
• hustle
• stir (up)
• needle
• wheedle
• foment
• nag
• high-pressure
• soft-soap
• blandish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourage
• deter
• check
• dissuade
• restrain
• brake
• inhibit
• curb
• constrain
• hold back

prompt

2 of 3

adjective

1

as in immediate

done, carried out, or given without delay

prompt treatment of snakebites is always advisable

Synonyms & Similar Words

• immediate
• swift
• timely
• quick
• speedy
• punctual
• early
• ready
• willing
• apt
• opportune
• seasonable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• belated
• late
• tardy
• overdue
• delinquent
• delayed
• slow
• behind
• detained
• dilatory
• latish
• laggard
• behindhand

2

as in quick

having or showing the ability to respond without delay or hesitation

our waiter was prompt and courteous despite the fact that the restaurant was understaffed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quick
• swift
• immediate
• willing
• responsive
• ready
• expeditious
• alert
• rapid
• brisk
• alacritous
• instantaneous
• clever
• fast
• summary
• keen
• receptive
• eager
• speedy
• instant
• sharp
• smart
• lightning
• apt
• rattling
• snappy
• breathless
• fleet
• whirlwind
• rapid-fire
• breakneck
• quick-witted
• fleet-footed
• hit-and-run
• sharp-witted
• ready-witted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unresponsive
• slow
• tardy
• unhurried
• sluggish
• dragging
• leisurely
• dilatory
• lazy
• creeping
• lagging
• slothful
• crawling
• pokey
• poking
• laggard
• idle
• poky
• slowish
• inactive
• dallying
• logy
• dormant
• dawdling
• inert
• lazyish
• dillydallying
• loggy

prompt

3 of 3

noun

as in reminder

Related Words

• reminder
• instruction
• feedback
• brief
• solution
• observation
• answer
• assistance
• urging
• direction
• warning
• clue
• recommendation
• sign
• signal
• advice
• suggestion
• guidance
• cautioning
• tip-off
• counsel
• tip
• advisement
• caution
• lead
• pointer
• telltale
• hint

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective prompt contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of prompt are apt, quick, and ready. While all these words mean "able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability," prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response.

prompt emergency medical care

When is apt a more appropriate choice than prompt?

The meanings of apt and prompt largely overlap; however, apt stresses the possession of qualities (such as intelligence, a particular talent, or a strong bent) that makes quick effective response possible.

an apt student

her answer was apt and to the point

In what contexts can quick take the place of prompt?

Although the words quick and prompt have much in common, quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power.

quick reflexes

a keen quick mind

Where would ready be a reasonable alternative to prompt?

The words ready and prompt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ready suggests facility or fluency in response.

backed by a pair of ready assistants

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of prompt

Verb

In the viral interview, Polidoro repeated her question after a prompt from Roberts, 57, as Garfield, 42, gave an uncomfortable laugh. —Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025

There’s a row of disco balls and a fake tree littered with sticky notes responding to a prompt about your favorite movies and books. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 24 Sep. 2025

Adjective

That, in turn, has prompted an increase in protests and turned the city into a flashpoint in the nationwide immigration crackdown. —Rebecca Schneid, Time, 5 Oct. 2025

That deployment antagonized demonstrators and prompted nightly clashes. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2025

Noun

The National Nuclear Security Administration funds the sensors, which undergo rigorous shock, vibration, thermal vacuum, and prompt X-ray testing to survive launch and the harsh space environment. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025

Instead of being late to take down its tree, the mall can plausibly be seen as very prompt to put its Christmas tree up. —Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 26 Sep. 2025