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
• laggard
• idle
• poky
• slowish
• inactive
• dallying
• poking
• dawdling
• dormant
• inert
• lazyish
• dillydallying
• logy

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

This act of violence, which Lizzie’s father supports, in part prompts Lizzie to plot their murders. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026

So, while one grape is hardly a 100-point score, if the focus on some of Bordeaux’s best vineyards prompts people to buy more bottles, all the online squabbling won’t take the shine off Michelin’s latest round of awards. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2026

Adjective

With inflation unmoving and an interest rate hike likely this month — the first from the Federal Reserve since 2023 — many homeowners find themselves in need of prompt financial assistance. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 14 Sep. 2026

Unlimited messages every month make the Unlimited Plan a good fit for prompt engineers, startups, and teams that rely on AI heavily enough to need the extra room. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026

Noun

But before the pair could publish, Buckmaster alleged in the statement, rumors of their method reached OpenAI, where researchers used the company’s large language model (LLM) to finish the job with a single prompt. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2026

Some saw the other cheaters get away with it and concluded the prompt forbidding cheating had no teeth—that there wouldn’t be any punishment for cheating. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026